Hollow/porous fibers and applications thereof

Abstract

In one embodiment is provided a polymer blend of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), wherein the poly(vinylacetate) is present in an amount ranging between about 20 wt % and about 80 wt %, and poly(acrylic acid) is present in an amount ranging between about 80 wt % and about 20 wt %, based on the total weight of the blend. In another embodiment is provided a fiber produced from this polymer blend, and which has cells therein. In another embodiment is provided a flavorant release material comprising the porous fiber disclosed herein, and one or more flavorants disposed in a longitudinally extending core within the fiber. In another embodiment is provided a polymer fiber membrane containing a hollow, porous fiber formed from the polymer blend disclosed herein. In another embodiment is provided a filter containing the fiber described herein. In another embodiment is provided a process for producing the fibers disclosed herein by addition of the polymers to an extruder or blender, and extruding or melt spinning the mixture into a fiber containing cells therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A polymer blend comprising poly(vinylacetate) in an amount ranging between about 20 wt % and about 80 wt %, and poly(acrylic acid) in an amount ranging between about 80 wt % and about 20 wt %, based on the total weight of the blend. 
     
     
         2 . The polymer blend of  claim 1 , wherein the poly(vinyl acetate) is present in an amount ranging from about 30 wt % to about 70 wt % and the poly(acrylic acid) is present in an amount ranging from about 70 wt % to about 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the polymer blend. 
     
     
         3 . The polymer blend of  claim 2 , wherein the poly(vinyl acetate) is present in an amount ranging from about 40 wt % to about 60 wt % and the poly(acrylic acid) is present in an amount ranging from about 60 wt % to about 40 wt %, based on the total weight of the polymer blend. 
     
     
         4 . The polymer blend of  claim 3 , wherein the poly(vinyl acetate) is present in an amount of about 50 wt % and the poly(acrylic acid) is present in an amount of about 50 wt %, based on the total weight of the polymer blend. 
     
     
         5 . The polymer blend of  claim 1 , wherein the blend comprises one more cells therein. 
     
     
         6 . The polymer blend of  claim 5 , wherein at least some of the cells comprise an interconnected network within the polymer blend. 
     
     
         7 . A fiber comprising a polymer blend of poly(vinylacetate) in an amount ranging between about 20 wt % and about 80 wt %, and poly(acrylic acid) in an amount ranging between about 80 wt % and about 20 wt %, based on the total weight of the blend, wherein the fiber is melt-spun and has cells therein, at least some of which form an interconnected network within the fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The fiber of  claim 7 , wherein the fiber comprises:
 (a) an annular wall comprising one or more cells therein; and   (b) a core extending longitudinally within the annular wall.   
     
     
         9 . The fiber of  claim 8 , wherein the core is hollow and the core diameter ranges between about 5 μm and about 15 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The fiber of  claim 8 , further comprising an additive material disposed within the core. 
     
     
         11 . The fiber of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the cells communicate with the fiber surface. 
     
     
         12 . The fiber of  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the cells provide fluid communication between the core and the fiber's exterior. 
     
     
         13 . The fiber of  claim 7 , wherein the fiber diameter ranges between about 10 μm and about 400 μm and the fiber is porous with a pore size of about 2 μm to about 50 μm. 
     
     
         14 . The fiber of  claim 7 , wherein the fiber has a hollow core and an annular wall with an interconnected network of cells therein providing fluid communication between the hollow core and an exterior of the fiber. 
     
     
         15 . The fiber of  claim 7 , wherein the fiber has a core containing menthol and an annular wall with an interconnected network of cells therein providing fluid communication between the core and an exterior of the fiber. 
     
     
         16 . An additive release material, comprising the fiber of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         17 . A polymer fiber membrane comprising the fiber of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         18 . A filter material comprising the fiber of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         19 . The filter material of  claim 18 , comprising a tow of filter material suitable for forming a filter rod of a smoking article. 
     
     
         20 . A plug of filter material comprising the fiber of  claim 7 , the plug suitable for attachment to a tobacco rod.