Tobacco smoke filter

Abstract

The invention relates to a tobacco smoke filter ( 40 ) affixed to a body of tobacco in a smokable device, such as a cigarette. The tobacco smoke filter comprises a metal granulate ( 42 ) including zinc or copper, and preferably a copper-zinc alloy. The metal granulate may be disposed between the body of tobacco and a fibrous filter ( 41 ), or be dispersed in the fibrous filter.

1 . A tobacco smoke filter, for use in a smokable device comprising a body of tobacco, wherein said tobacco smoke filter comprises a metal granulate including zinc, copper, or a copper-zinc alloy.  
   
   
       2 . The tobacco smoke filter as recited in  claim 1 , comprising a fibrous filter.  
   
   
       3 . The tobacco smoke filter as recited in  claim 2 , wherein one end of said fibrous filter defines an inhalation end, and said metal granulate is disposed adjacent to an end of said fibrous filter opposite said inhalation end.  
   
   
       4 . The tobacco smoke filter as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said metal granulate is dispersed in said fibrous filter.  
   
   
       5 . The tobacco smoke filter as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said metal granulate is dispersed in a portion of said fibrous filter.  
   
   
       6 . The tobacco smoke filter as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said metal granulate is disposed between a first fibrous filter portion of said fibrous filter, and a second portion of said fibrous filter.  
   
   
       7 . The tobacco smoke filter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said metal granulate comprises particles of zinc, copper, or a copper-zinc alloy, in a particle size range of 0.05-3 mm.  
   
   
       8 . The tobacco smoke filter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said metal granulate comprises particles of zinc, copper, or a copper-zinc alloy, in a particle size range of 0.1-2 mm.  
   
   
       9 . The tobacco smoke filter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said metal granulate is included with a mass in the range of 0.1-1 g.  
   
   
       10 . The tobacco smoke filter as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said metal granulate is redox alloy media (RAM).  
   
   
       11 . A smokable device comprising: 
 a body of tobacco, and    a tobacco smoke filter comprising a metal granulate including zinc, copper, or a copper-zinc alloy, and that is affixed to said body of tobacco.    
   
   
       12 . The smokable device as recited in  claim 11  wherein said tobacco smoke filter is further comprised of a fibrous filter material and said metal granulate is comprised of redox alloy media.  
   
   
       13 . The smokable device as recited in  claim 12  wherein said metal granulate is disposed between a first portion of said fibrous filter material and a second portion of said fibrous filter material.  
   
   
       14 . The smokable device as recited in  claim 11  wherein said metal granulate is comprised of particles of zinc, copper, or a copper-zinc alloy having a particle size range of between 0.05 mm and 3 mm.  
   
   
       15 . The smokable device as recited in  claim 14  wherein said metal granulate is comprised of particles of zinc, copper, or a copper-zinc alloy having a particle size range of between 0.1 mm and 2 mm.  
   
   
       16 . The smokable device as recited in  claim 14  wherein said metal granulate of said tobacco smoke filter has a mass range of between 0.1 g and 1 g.  
   
   
       17 . The smokable device as recited in  claim 16  wherein said metal granulate is comprised of a redox alloy media.  
   
   
       18 . The smokable device as recited in  claim 11  wherein said tobacco smoke filter is further comprised of a fibrous filter material And wherein said metal granulate is dispersed in at least a portion of said fibrous filter material  
   
   
       19 . A tobacco smoke filter for use in a smokable device having a tobacco body comprising: 
 a fibrous filter material; and    a zinc, copper, or copper-zinc metal granulate comprised of particles having a particle size range of between 0.05 mm and 3 mm and having a mass in the range of between 0.1 g and 1 g.    
   
   
       20 . The tobacco smoke filter as recited in  claim 19  wherein said metal granulate is comprised of a redox alloy media.