Smoking articles and filters including zeolite molecular sieve sorbent

Abstract

Filters, smoking articles, and methods for selectively removing one or more selected constituents from mainstream smoke are provided. The filters comprise zeolite BETA. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles, as well as methods for smoking a cigarette, are also provided.

1 . A cigarette filter comprising zeolite molecular sieve sorbent including zeolite BETA.  
   
   
       2 . The cigarette filter of  claim 1 , wherein the zeolite molecular sieve sorbent is (i) loaded on a support, (ii) incorporated in a support, (iii) incorporated with a support, (iv) in a plug-space-plug arrangement, (v) in bead form, and/or (vi) in monolith form.  
   
   
       3 . The cigarette filter of  claim 1 , wherein the zeolite molecular sieve sorbent has an average pore size larger than at least one selected constituent of mainstream smoke that passes through the cigarette filter.  
   
   
       4 . The cigarette filter of  claim 1 , wherein the zeolite molecular sieve sorbent further comprises at least one additional microporous zeolite.  
   
   
       5 . The cigarette filter of  claim 1 , wherein the zeolite molecular sieve sorbent is in particle form having an average particle size of about 250 microns to about 1000 microns, or from about 250 microns to about 600 microns.  
   
   
       6 . The cigarette filter of  claim 1 , which is a mono filter, a dual filter, a triple filter, a cavity filter, a recessed filter, or a free-flow filter.  
   
   
       7 . The cigarette filter of  claim 2 , wherein the support comprises paper or fibers.  
   
   
       8 . The cigarette filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises cellulose acetate tow, cellulose paper, mono cellulose, mono acetate, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The cigarette filter of  claim 1 , wherein the zeolite molecular sieve sorbent is incorporated into at least one cigarette filter part selected from the group consisting of a shaped paper insert, a plug, a space, cigarette filter paper, and a free-flow sleeve.  
   
   
       10 . The cigarette filter of  claim 1 , wherein the zeolite molecular sieve sorbent is incorporated within a plug, or within a free-flow filter element.  
   
   
       11 . The cigarette filter of  claim 1 , wherein the zeolite molecular sieve sorbent is incorporated in at least one of a first tubular filter element adjacent to a mouthpiece filter plug, and a second tubular filter element adjacent to the first tubular element.  
   
   
       12 . The cigarette filter of  claim 1 , wherein the zeolite molecular sieve sorbent is incorporated in at least one of a first filter plug adjacent to a mouthpiece filter plug, and a second filter plug adjacent to the first filter plug.  
   
   
       13 . A cigarette comprising a cigarette filter according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       14 . The cigarette of  claim 13 , which is a non-traditional cigarette.  
   
   
       15 . The cigarette of  claim 13 , further comprising a tobacco rod including at least one of zeolite ZSM-5 and zeolite BETA.  
   
   
       16 . A method of making a cigarette, comprising: 
 placing a paper wrapper around a tobacco column to form a tobacco rod; and    attaching the cigarette filter of  claim 1  to the tobacco rod to form the cigarette.    
   
   
       17 . A method of smoking the cigarette of  claim 16 , comprising: 
 heating or lighting the cigarette to form smoke; and    drawing the smoke through the cigarette, wherein the zeolite molecular sieve sorbent selectively removes at least one selected constituent from mainstream smoke.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the zeolite molecular sieve sorbent selectively removes a substantial amount of at least one of acrolein and 1,3-butadiene from the mainstream smoke.  
   
   
       19 . A cigarette filter comprising zeolite BETA and zeolite ZSM-5.  
   
   
       20 . A cigarette comprising a cigarette filter according to  claim 19 .  
   
   
       21 . The cigarette of  claim 20 , which is a non-traditional cigarette.  
   
   
       22 . The cigarette of  claim 20 , further comprising a tobacco rod including at least one of zeolite ZSM-5 and zeolite BETA.  
   
   
       23 . A cigarette filter comprising zeolite molecular sieve sorbent consisting essentially of zeolite BETA.  
   
   
       24 . A cigarette comprising a cigarette filter according to  claim 23 .  
   
   
       25 . The cigarette of  claim 24 , which is a non-traditional cigarette.  
   
   
       26 . The cigarette of  claim 24 , further comprising a tobacco rod including at least one of zeolite ZSM-5 and zeolite BETA.  
   
   
       27 . A method of making a cigarette filter, comprising incorporating zeolite BETA in the filter.