Rapidly degradable filters via electron ionization

Abstract

A method of forming a filter for a smoking article which includes exposing cellulose acetate fibers to an electron beam process, wherein electron beam process deacetylates the cellulose acetate fibers to render the cellulose acetate fibers water-permeable; and forming a cellulose acetate rod from a tow of the cellulose acetate fibers. Filter plugs of the cellulose acetate fibers are water-permeable and allow discarded filtered smoking articles to rapidly degrade and expose the components to the environment.

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         10 . A smoking article comprising:
 a rod of smoking material; and   a filter operative with the rod of smoking material, the filter comprising at least one cellulose acetate plug formed from cellulose acetate fibers, and wherein the cellulose acetate fibers are in a condition of having been exposed to an electron beam process, wherein the electron beam process deacetylates at least some of the cellulose acetate fibers, whereby at least some of the cellulose acetate fibers are rendered water-permeable.   
     
     
         11 . The smoking article of  claim 10 , wherein the filter includes a single plug of the cellulose acetate fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The smoking article of  claim 10 , wherein at least some of the cellulose acetate fibers are in a condition of having the electron beam process applied while the cellulose acetate fibers are cellulose acetate flakes. 
     
     
         13 . The smoking article of  claim 10 , wherein the cellulose acetate fibers are in a condition of having the electron beam process applied to a finished tow bundle after the fibers have been put through a crimping process. 
     
     
         14 . The smoking article of  claim 10 , wherein the cellulose acetate fibers are in a condition of having the electron beam process applied to a finished smoking article. 
     
     
         15 . The smoking article of  claim 10 , wherein the smoking article is a cigarette. 
     
     
         16 . The smoking article of  claim 10 , wherein the electron beam process comprises exposing at least some of the cellulose acetate fibers to no more than 7.0 kGy of electron ionization. 
     
     
         17 . The smoking article of  claim 10 , wherein the electron beam process comprises exposing at least some of the cellulose acetate fibers to no more than 3.0 kGy of electron ionization. 
     
     
         18 . The smoking article of  claim 10 , wherein the cellulose acetate fibers are formed from an ester of cellulose. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled)