Tobacco smoke filter and method of production

Abstract

A method of producing a flavoured tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising a self sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact; the method comprising a step of applying a flavouring agent to a longitudinally advancing flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods. Filters and filter elements are also provided.

1 . A method of producing a flavoured tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising a self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact; the method comprising a step of applying a flavouring agent to a longitudinally advancing flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the flavouring agent is applied to a longitudinally advancing flow of pre-formed filters and/or pre-formed filter elements and/or pre-formed multiple filter rods. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods in the longitudinally advancing flow are abutted in end to end relationship. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods in the longitudinally advancing flow are longitudinally spaced from each other. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the longitudinally advancing flow comprises pluralities of abutted filters or filter elements with each plurality of filters or filter elements longitudinally spaced from the next along the flow. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising a further step of applying a wrapper to the continuously advancing flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods to which the flavouring agent has been applied to thereby form a continuous wrapped rod comprising filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods bearing flavouring agent. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  comprising a further step of cutting the continuous wrapped rod to thereby provide a plurality of individual wrapped rods each comprising one or more filters or filter elements bearing flavouring agent. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 5  comprising a further step of applying a wrapper to the continuously advancing flow to form a continuous wrapped rod comprising longitudinally spaced pluralities of abutted filters or filter elements bearing flavouring agent. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  comprising a further step of cutting the continuous wrapped rod in register with the spaces between the pluralities of abutted filter or filter elements. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  including a step of crimping and/or at least partially sealing the cut ends of the wrapper. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 6  in which the flavouring agent is menthol, spearmint, peppermint, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, lemon, chocolate, peach, strawberry, vanilla, or nicotine or a salt or derivative thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the flavouring agent is applied in amount of between 0.1 and 8, for example 1.5 to 8 milligrams per filter or filter element. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods comprise a self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially continuous filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1  in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods comprise a self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core comprising a plurality of randomly oriented fibres of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13  in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods further comprise one or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally (e.g. longitudinally) of the cylindrical core. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  in which the (or a) continuous component is a thread or yarn or tape or continuous extruded element. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 15  in which the (or a) continuous component is cotton thread or cellulose acetate yarn. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 15  in which the (or a) continuous component further comprises a dye or pigment (e.g a dye or pigment which has regulatory approval for use in food contact applications). 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 15  in which the (or a) continuous component is of a contrasting colour to the tobacco smoke filtering material. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 15  in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods further comprise two or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally (e.g. longitudinally) of the cylindrical core, wherein the first continuous component is a different colour to the second continuous component. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 15  in which the continuous component bears a further flavouring agent (e.g. the same or different to the flavouring agent which is applied to the longitudinally advancing flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods). 
     
     
         22 . A product comprising a plurality of individual tobacco smoke filters or filter elements abutted end to end, each filter or filter element including a self-sustaining substantially cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material bonded at their points of contact and a flavouring agent; and a wrapper around the plurality of individual tobacco smoke filters or filter elements. 
     
     
         23 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the wrapper extends longitudinally at each end beyond the abutted plurality of individual tobacco smoke filters or filter elements and is sealed or partially sealed. 
     
     
         24 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the flavouring agent is applied in amount of between 0.1 and 8, for example 1.5 to 8 milligrams per filter or filter element. 
     
     
         25 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the filters or filter elements comprise a self-sustaining cylindrical core comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially continuous filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. 
     
     
         26 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the filters or filter elements comprise a self-sustaining cylindrical core comprising a plurality of randomly oriented fibres of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. 
     
     
         27 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the filters or filter elements further comprise one or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally (e.g. longitudinally) of the cylindrical core. 
     
     
         28 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the (or a) continuous component is a thread or yarn or tape or continuous extruded element. 
     
     
         29 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the (or a) continuous component is cotton thread or cellulose acetate yarn. 
     
     
         30 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the (or a) continuous component further comprises a dye or pigment (e.g a dye or pigment which has regulatory approval for use in food contact applications). 
     
     
         31 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the (or a) continuous component is of a contrasting colour to the tobacco smoke filtering material. 
     
     
         32 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the filters or filter elements further comprise two or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally (e.g. longitudinally) of the cylindrical core, wherein the first continuous component is a different colour to the second continuous component. 
     
     
         33 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the (or a) continuous component bears a further flavouring agent (e.g. the same or different to the flavouring agent which is applied to the longitudinally advancing flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods). 
     
     
         34 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the tobacco smoke filtering material is cellulose acetate tow. 
     
     
         35 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the wrapper is transparent. 
     
     
         36 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising a self-sustaining substantially cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material bonded at their points of contact; and a flavouring agent. 
     
     
         37 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 36  including a wrapper. 
     
     
         38 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core is a cylindrical rod of circular cross section. 
     
     
         39 . A product according to  claim 22  wherein the self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core is a longitudinally extending hollow tube. 
     
     
         40 . An apparatus for producing flavoured tobacco smoke filters or filter elements comprising feed means (a feeder) for longitudinally advancing a flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods elements each comprising a self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact; and flavour application means (a flavour applicator) for applying a flavouring agent to the longitudinally advancing filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods. 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising a self-sustaining substantially cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material bonded at their points of contact; one or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally of the cylindrical core; and a flavouring agent. 
     
     
         43 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 42  wherein the flavouring agent is at least partially located on a continuous component which extends substantially longitudinally of the cylindrical core. 
     
     
         44 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 42  wherein the flavouring agent is included in an amount of 0.1 and 8, for example 1.5 to 8 milligrams per product filter or filter element. 
     
     
         45 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 42  wherein the flavouring agent is menthol. 
     
     
         46 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 42  wherein the filter or filter element comprises a self-sustaining cylindrical core comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially continuous filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. 
     
     
         47 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 42  wherein the filter or filter element comprises a self-sustaining cylindrical core comprising a plurality of randomly oriented fibres of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. 
     
     
         48 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 42  wherein at least one continuous component is a thread or yarn or tape or continuous extruded element, for example a cotton thread, a cellulose acetate yarn or a continuous extruded element of e.g. cellulose acetate. 
     
     
         49 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 42  further comprising a wrapper. 
     
     
         50 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 42  wherein the (or a) continuous component further comprises a dye or pigment (e.g a dye or pigment which has regulatory approval for use in food contact applications). 
     
     
         51 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 42  wherein the (or a) continuous component is of a contrasting colour to the tobacco smoke filtering material. 
     
     
         52 . A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to  claim 42  wherein the filters or filter elements further comprise two or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally (e.g. longitudinally) of the cylindrical core, wherein the first continuous component is a different colour to the second continuous component. 
     
     
         53 . A filter cigarette comprising a filter according to  claim 42  joined to a wrapped tobacco rod.