Cigarette filter including chemical compositions adapted to decompose cellulose acetate

Abstract

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.

1 . A smoking article filter formed from cellulose acetate and including a wrapper, comprising:
 at least one chemical composition adapted to react with and decompose the cellulose acetate, the at least one chemical composition being contained within at least one carrier disposed within the smoking article filter.   
     
     
         2 . The smoking article filter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one carrier is a capsule comprising a frangible shell. 
     
     
         3 . The smoking article filter of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one carrier is a capsule comprising a water-soluble shell. 
     
     
         4 . A smoking article filter formed from cellulose acetate and including a wrapper, comprising:
 at least one chemical composition adapted to react with and decompose the cellulose acetate, the at least one chemical composition being contained within at least one first carrier disposed within the smoking article filter; and   at least one catalyst adapted to increase the rate of reaction of the chemical composition and the cellulose acetate, the at least one catalyst being contained within at least one second carrier disposed within the smoking article filter.   
     
     
         5 . The smoking article filter of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one first carrier is a capsule comprising a frangible shell. 
     
     
         6 . The smoking article filter of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one first carrier is a capsule comprising a water-soluble shell. 
     
     
         7 . The smoking article filter of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a capsule comprising a frangible shell. 
     
     
         8 . The smoking article filter of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a capsule comprising a water-soluble shell. 
     
     
         9 . The smoking article filter of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a capsule comprising a shell soluble in the at least one chemical composition. 
     
     
         10 . The smoking article filter of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a coating disposed on an inner surface of the wrapper. 
     
     
         11 . The smoking article filter of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a strip disposed within the smoking article filter. 
     
     
         12 . The smoking article filter of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a core rod disposed within the smoking article filter. 
     
     
         13 . The smoking article filter of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a plurality of microcapsules disposed within the smoking article filter. 
     
     
         14 . The smoking article filter of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one first carrier is a first compartment in a capsule comprising a shell and a divider, and the at least one second carrier is a second compartment in said capsule. 
     
     
         15 . A smoking article filter formed from cellulose acetate and including a wrapper, comprising:
 a first precursor to a chemical composition adapted to react with and decompose the cellulose acetate, the first precursor being contained within at least one first carrier disposed within the smoking article filter; and   at least one additional precursor to the chemical composition adapted to react with and decompose the cellulose acetate, the at least one additional precursor being contained within at least one second carrier disposed within the smoking article filter.   
     
     
         16 . The smoking article filter of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one first carrier is a capsule comprising a frangible shell. 
     
     
         17 . The smoking article filter of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one first carrier is a capsule comprising a water-soluble shell. 
     
     
         18 . The smoking article filter of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a capsule comprising a frangible shell. 
     
     
         19 . The smoking article filter of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a capsule comprising a water-soluble shell. 
     
     
         20 . The smoking article filter of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a capsule comprising a shell soluble in the first precursor. 
     
     
         21 . The smoking article filter of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a coating disposed on an inner surface of the wrapper. 
     
     
         22 . The smoking article filter of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a strip disposed within the smoking article filter. 
     
     
         23 . The smoking article filter of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a core rod disposed within the smoking article filter. 
     
     
         24 . The smoking article filter of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one second carrier is a plurality of microcapsules disposed within the smoking article filter. 
     
     
         25 . The smoking article filter of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one first carrier is a first compartment in a capsule comprising a shell and a divider, and the at least one second carrier is a second compartment in said capsule.