Tobacco smoke filter

Abstract

A stand alone tobacco smoke filter or filter element for use with a smoking article comprising a wrapper engaged around a longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material, wherein at least one end of the wrapper extends beyond the end of the core around which it is engaged, to define a cavity at the end of the filter which faces the smoking article in use.

1 . A stand alone tobacco smoke filter or filter element for use with a smoking article comprising a wrapper engaged around a longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material, wherein at least one end of the wrapper extends beyond the end of the core around which it is engaged, to define a cavity at the end of the filter which faces the smoking article in use. 
     
     
         2 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 1  wherein the end of the wrapper extends beyond the end of the core around which it is engaged to define a cavity of length sufficient to provide a good interference fit between the radially inner face of the wrapper which defines the cavity and the outer face of the smoking article. 
     
     
         3 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the end of the wrapper extends beyond the end of the core around which it is engaged by a length of 3 to 14 mm, for example 5 to 12 mm. 
     
     
         4 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the wrapper extends beyond the end of the core around which it is engaged at both ends, to define a cavity at each end of the filter. 
     
     
         5 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 4  wherein both ends of the wrapper extend beyond the ends of the core around which they are engaged by a length of 3 to 14 mm, for example 5 to 12 mm. 
     
     
         6 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein one end of the wrapper extends beyond the end of the core around which it is engaged, to define a cavity at the end of the filter which faces the smoking article in use; and the other end of the wrapper is flush or substantially flush with the other end of the core. 
     
     
         7 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to any preceding claim wherein the wrapper is paper. 
     
     
         8 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to any preceding claim wherein the wrapper is paper of basis weight from about 30 to about 120 g/m 2 . 
     
     
         9 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 8  wherein the wrapper is paper of basis weight from about 80 to about 120 g/m 2 , for example a basis weight of around 100 g/m 2 , 
     
     
         10 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 8  wherein the wrapper is paper of basis weight from about 30 to about 70 g/m 2 , for example a basis weight of around 50 g/m 2 . 
     
     
         11 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to any preceding claim wherein the wrapper is printed or coated with a pattern. 
     
     
         12 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to any preceding claim wherein the wrapper is hydrophobic and/or has a hydrophobic coating. 
     
     
         13 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to any preceding claim including a further wrapper. 
     
     
         14 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to any preceding claim including perforations around its periphery. 
     
     
         15 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to any preceding claim wherein the filtering material is a cellulose acetate tow. 
     
     
         16 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 3 . 
     
     
         17 . A rod comprising a plurality of filter or filter elements according to any preceding claim joined together end to end. 
     
     
         18 . A filtered smoking article comprising a filter or filter element according to any of  claims 1  to  16  and a smoking article. 
     
     
         19 . A filtered smoking article according to  claim 18  wherein the smoking article is a bidi or kretek or cigar or cigarette. 
     
     
         20 . A stand-alone tobacco smoke filter or filter element for use with a smoking article, the filter or filter element comprising a longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material and a wrapper which is attached thereto; the wrapper being engageable around the longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material and at least a part of a smoking article placed adjacent thereto and in register therewith; the wrapper comprising fixing means for fixing the wrapper in place when it is engaged around the longitudinally extending core of tobacco smoke filtering material and the part of the smoking article placed adjacent thereto to thereby hold the core of tobacco smoke filtering material in register with the smoking article. 
     
     
         21 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 20  wherein the wrapper is paper. 
     
     
         22 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 21  wherein the wrapper is paper of basis weight from about 30 to about 120 g/m 2 ; for example wherein the wrapper is paper of basis weight from about 80 to about 120 g/m 2 , for example a basis weight of around 100 g/m 2 ; or for example wherein the wrapper is paper of basis weight from about 30 to about 70 g/m 2 , for example a basis weight of around 50 g/m 2 . 
     
     
         23 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to any of  claims 1  to  16  or  20  to  22  further comprising a flavouring agent. 
     
     
         24 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 23  for use with a kretek cigarette. 
     
     
         25 . A smoking article comprising a kretek cigarette and a tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to any of  claims 1  to  16  or  20  to  22 ; wherein the filter or filter element includes a flavouring agent.