Biodegradable cigarette filter tow and method of manufacture

Abstract

A biodegradable cigarette filter tow includes a mixture of at least two or more natural materials selected from the group consisting of hemp fiber, flax fiber, abaca fiber or pulp, sisal fiber or pulp, wood pulp, and cotton fiber or cotton flock. The mixture may also include regenerated cellulose fibers. The mixture may include a natural binder or may be hydroentangled.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to a biodegradable cigarette filter and more specifically, to a non-synthetic, natural cigarette filter tow.[0003]2. Related Art[0004]Popular smoking articles have undergone significant development in the past 50 years with a recent increased awareness of limiting consumption of chemicals which can impede the emotional enjoyment of smoking cigarettes or other products. In addressing the desire for an enhanced smoking experience, much research and development has centered around the cigarette filter which currently primarily serves the purpose of filtering the smoke generated from burning tobacco. Typically, a filter has a filter tow made from plasticized cellulose acetate and can also include polyhydric alcohols, and the tow is wrapped with an inner and outer layer of cigarette paper. The inner layer is known as the plug wrap and the outer wrapping layer is known as the tipping paper. A cigarette ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent introduces an improved biodegradable cigarette filter tow, material, and method for making it. The filter is made by using a blend of natural fibers, including cellulose, which is a regenerated polymer. The fibers are coated with a natural binder, which can be applied in different ways, to create a nonwoven sheet that can be used to make a cigarette filter. The binder content, fiber orientation, and sheet parameters can be modified to meet different performance requirements, such as pressure drop and retention properties. The binder is also water soluble, which allows for quick dispersibility in high humidity and wet state. The technical effect is that the improved biodegradable cigarette filter material is more efficient, effective, and environmentally friendly.

Problems solved by technology

The materials making up the filter core and binder biodegrade only very slowly over lengthy periods of time and thus cause unsightly environmental litter and pollution.

In such methods however, the biodegradation rate of the entire filter is determined by the biodegradation rate of the material that can be easily biodegraded and, thus, the biodegradation rate of the cellulose acetate itself is not increased.

Other proposals for biodegradable and partially biodegradable filters involve relatively complicated manufacturing processes which often require chemical intermediates for production.

Moreover, such methods also do not address the issue of introduction of complex chemical compounds into the environment which leads to pollution.

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