Filters

Abstract

A filter for a smoking article is provided, which includes a filtering core and a sheath layer. [Solution] The filtration core material 10 includes a nonwoven mesh layer 11 and a pulp layer 12. The nonwoven mesh layer includes a plurality of first fibers 111 and a plurality of meshes 112, each of which is bonded to each other and each mesh is located between each of the first fibers. The pulp layer includes a plurality of plant fibers 121, some of which are located on one side of the nonwoven mesh layer and pass through each mesh to be entangled with each of the first fibers. The sheath layer 20 covers the periphery of the filtration core material.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application relates to filters, and in particular to filters for smoking articles. [Background technology]

[0002] When a smoking article is burned, fine particles containing many chemical components are produced, and most of the particles are products of combustion or incomplete combustion of the tobacco in the smoking article. In order to reduce the smoke and tar inhaled by the smoker after using the smoking article, or various airborne particles generated during combustion, filters for use in smoking articles have been developed, which absorb harmful substances and harmful gases generated after the smoking article is burned through the filter of the smoking article.

[0003] In the past, the raw material for manufacturing filters for smoking articles was cellulose, a fiber extracted from wood. The cellulose is acetylated (to produce a material called cellulose acetate, or simply "acetate fiber"), dissolved, and separated into synthetic fibers arranged in a continuous tow. The cellulose then undergoes chemical and physical processes to be opened, combed, plasticized, molded, cut, and then made into filters. In order to meet the fine particle adsorption and filtering effects of the filter, it is necessary to carefully select the type of wood from which the cellulose for making the filter is obtained, so filters made from acetate fiber are very expensive, which discourages smokers from using them and does not lead to sales, so improvement was needed. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The present application provides a filter including a filtration core material and a sheath layer. The filtration core material includes a nonwoven mesh layer and a pulp layer. The nonwoven mesh layer includes a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of meshes, each of the first fibers being bonded to each other, and each mesh being located between each of the first fibers. The pulp layer includes a plurality of plant fibers, some of which are located on one side of the nonwoven mesh layer and pass through each mesh to be entangled with each of the first fibers. The sheath layer covers the periphery of the filtration core material.

[0005] In some embodiments, the first fibers comprise a plurality of polypropylene fibers.

[0006] In some embodiments, the weight percentage of the polypropylene fibers in the filtration wick is less than 45%.

[0007] In some embodiments, the filter further comprises a plurality of softening particles uniformly distributed on the surface of the filtration wick.

[0008] In some embodiments, the weight ratio of the softening particles to the filtration core material is 1.0 to 15.0%.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first fibers include a plurality of wood fibers.

[0010] In some embodiments, the filter further comprises a functional carrier disposed within the filtration core.

[0011] In some embodiments, the filter further comprises flavoring beads disposed within the filtration wick.

[0012] In some embodiments, the filter has a hardness of 70% or greater.

[0013] In some embodiments, the filter has an airflow resistance of 120 to 800 mmWG, and the length of the filter is 60 mm to 160 mm and the diameter is 16 to 25 mm.

[0014] In some embodiments, the filtration wick has a liquid absorption rate of 230% or greater. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a filter of the present application used in a smoking article. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of a filter according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a nonwoven mesh layer and a pulp layer according to an embodiment of the filter of the present application before being consolidated. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a filter according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the circled area 5 in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which the functional carrier of the filter of the present application is a perfume-carrying thread. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the circled area 7 in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a filter including flavor beads according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Before the present application is described in detail in each embodiment, it should be noted that in the following description, the drawings in the present application are for schematic illustration purposes only, are not necessarily drawn to scale, and not all details are necessarily shown in the drawings.

[0017] In the present invention, terms relating to directions such as "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper (top)", "lower (bottom)", "inner", "outer", "side" and the like mainly refer to directions in the drawings. The above-mentioned terms relating to directions are used to explain or make it possible to understand each embodiment of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0018] The counters such as "one" or "one piece" used in the description of elements or components in the present invention are used for convenience and to give their ordinary meaning in the scope of the present invention, and should be interpreted as one or at least one in the present invention, and the meaning of one also includes the plural, unless a different meaning is clearly indicated.

[0019] In this invention, the approximation terms such as "connection", "combination" or "assembly" mainly include forms that can be connected and separated without destruction, or connected and inseparable, and those skilled in the art can select them according to the materials of the parts to be connected or the form of assembly.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the filter of the present application used in a smoking article. The filter F of the present application is suitable for filtering the smoking article C, thereby reducing the amount of tar inhaled and suspended particles generated during combustion when the smoking article C is used. The smoking article C is an article that contains an aerosol-generating substance or an aerosol-forming substrate and generates an aerosol after combustion, such as a cigarette, a heated tobacco product, or a cigar. In addition, the smoking article C may further contain a solid material based on tobacco raw materials (such as regenerated tobacco, pipe tobacco, and recombinant tobacco). The smoking substance may contain a volatile compound.

[0021] 2 to 5, FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of a filter according to an embodiment of the present application, FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a nonwoven fabric mesh layer and a pulp layer according to an embodiment of the present application before being consolidated, FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the filter according to an embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of a circled region 5 in FIG. 4. The filter F of the present application includes a filtration core material 10 and a sheath layer 20. The filtration core material 10 includes a nonwoven fabric mesh layer 11 and a pulp layer 12. The nonwoven fabric mesh layer 11 includes a plurality of first fibers 111 and a plurality of meshes 112, and each of the first fibers 111 is bonded to each other, and each of the meshes 112 is located between each of the first fibers 111. The pulp layer 12 includes a plurality of plant fibers 121, and a part of the plant fibers 121 is located on one side of the nonwoven fabric mesh layer 11 and passes through each of the meshes 112 to be entangled with each of the first fibers 111. The sheath layer 20 surrounds the filtering core 10 .

[0022] By passing through the mesh 112 and intertwining with each of the first fibers 111, the plant fibers 121 of the pulp layer 12 can not only be firmly consolidated with the first fibers 111, but also an appropriate hardness can be imparted to the filtration core material 10 consisting of the nonwoven mesh layer 11 and the pulp layer 12 so that the filtration core material 10 has an appropriate hardness after being wound around the filter F.

[0023] 2 and 4, the filtering core 10 is the main body that provides the filtering effect. In some embodiments, the nonwoven mesh layer 11 is a nonwoven layer, i.e., a cloth-like structure layer in which threads are not woven. In these embodiments, the first fibers 111 can be arranged in an oriented or random manner to form a mesh-like structure and the meshes 112, but are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first fibers 111 of the nonwoven mesh layer 11 can be consolidated by, but are not limited to, physical, mechanical, thermal bonding, or chemical methods.

[0024] 2 to 4, the pulp layer 12 is made of plant fibers 121 obtained by defibrating and beating a plant, and has a layered structure after being pulped and placed on a net to be shaped. It is noteworthy that the plant fibers 121 have been through a beating process, and therefore the length and direction of the plant fibers 121 are different when they become the pulp layer 12.

[0025] 2 to 4, in some embodiments, the nonwoven mesh layer 11 and the pulp layer 12 are consolidated into the filtration core material 10 by a spunlace nonwoven method (also known as a hydroentanglement method or a water needling method). In these embodiments, referring to FIG. 3, the pulp layer 12 is layered on the nonwoven mesh layer 11, and then a high-pressure columnar water stream W is sprayed onto the pulp layer 12, causing some of the plant fibers 121 in the pulp layer 12 to pass through the mesh 112 of the nonwoven mesh layer 11 and become entangled with the first fibers 111 of the nonwoven mesh layer 11 (FIG. 4), thereby bonding the pulp layer 12 to the nonwoven mesh layer 11 to form the filtration core material 10.

[0026] In this way, since at least a part of the filtration core material 10 is composed of the pulp layer 12, the nonwoven mesh layer 11 can stably support the pulp layer 12, ensuring that the filtration core material 10 composed of the pulp layer 12 and the nonwoven mesh layer 11 has a stable structural configuration, and the pulp layer 12 can increase the biodegradation rate and reduce the environmental load of the filter F. In addition, since the filtration core material 10 is composed of the nonwoven mesh layer 11 and the pulp layer 12, the hardness of the filter F can be adjusted by the blending ratio of the components and the amount of the filtration core material 10 added, so that the filter F can have a hardness appropriate for meeting the demands of consumers and smoothly completing the wrapping of a cigarette. In some embodiments, the hardness of the filter F is 70% or more (under the condition that the length of the filter F is 60 to 160 mm and the diameter is 16 to 25 mm). Here, the hardness of the filter F refers to the degree to which the diameter of the filter F is maintained when a certain force is applied to the filter F in the radial direction of the filter F. The numerical calculation formula is as follows.

[0027] (Number 1) Hardness of filter F (%) = [(D0-D1) / D0] x 100 where D0 is the initial diameter of filter F and D1 is the diameter of filter F after it has been compressed with a specific weight. In general, D1 is the diameter of filter F after it has been compressed with a weight of 300 grams.

[0028] In some embodiments, the mass per unit area of ​​the filtration core 10 is 30±15 g / m 2 In these embodiments, the mass per unit area can be measured using a method in accordance with ISO Standard 9073-1 or the Republic of China National Standard CNS5610 (Part 1). In some embodiments, the thickness of the filtration core 10 is 0.1 mm or more. In these embodiments, the thickness of the filtration core 10 can be measured using a method in accordance with the People's Republic of China National Standard GB / T 24218.2-2009 or the Republic of China National Standard CNS5610 (Part 2).

[0029] In some embodiments, due to the structural configuration of the filtration core 10 of the filter F, the filtration core 10 has a tensile strength CD dry of 5N or more, a tensile strength MD dry of 10N or more, a breaking elongation CD dry of 200% or less, and a breaking elongation MD dry of 150% or less. In these embodiments, the tensile strength in the dry cross direction, the tensile strength in the dry longitudinal direction, the breaking elongation in the dry cross direction, and the breaking elongation in the dry longitudinal direction can be measured using a method in accordance with the National Standard GB / T 24218.3-2010 of the People's Republic of China or the National Standard CNS5610 (Part 4) of the Republic of China. This prevents the filtration core 10 from breaking during the winding process, reducing the difficulty of manufacturing.

[0030] In some embodiments, due to the structural configuration of the filtering core 10 of the filter F, the filtering core 10 of the filter F has a liquid absorptive capacity of 230% or more. In these embodiments, the liquid absorptive capacity of the filtering core 10 can be measured using a method in accordance with the national standard GB / T 24218.6-2010 of the People's Republic of China. This allows the filter F to fully absorb water vapor and other harmful substances and gases generated after the smoking article C is burned during use, improving the smoking experience when inhaling the smoking article C.

[0031] In some embodiments, the structural configuration of the filtration core material 10 of the filter F and the airflow resistance (pressure loss) of the filter F of 120 to 800 mmWG (measured when the length of the filter F is 60 to 160 mm and the diameter is 16 to 25 mm) provide the smoker with a better smoking experience. The airflow resistance refers to the static pressure difference between both ends of the filter F when air is flowed at a predetermined air flow rate (17.5 mm / sec) from one end face to the other end face under normal conditions. In these embodiments, the airflow resistance can be measured using a method that complies with ISO standard 6565:2015.

[0032] In some embodiments, the hardness of the filter F can be adjusted by changing the mass per unit area of ​​the sheath layer 20. In some embodiments, the mass per unit area of ​​the sheath layer 20 is 20 to 150 g / m 2 It is.

[0033] In some embodiments, the moisture content of the filtration core 10 is 16% or less. In these embodiments, the moisture content of the filtration core 10 can be measured using a method in accordance with the People's Republic of China National Standard GB / T 462-2003.

[0034] The first fibers 111 of the nonwoven mesh layer 11 may include the same fibers or different fibers. In some embodiments, each of the first fibers 111 may be one of polypropylene fibers or wood fibers, or a combination of polypropylene fibers and wood fibers.

[0035] In some embodiments where the first fibers 111 of the nonwoven mesh layer 11 are a combination of polypropylene fibers and wood fibers, the weight percentage of the filtration core 10 is less than 45% polypropylene fibers; in other words, in these embodiments, the weight percentage of the filtration core 10 is at most 45% polypropylene fibers, with the remainder being composed of wood fibers and the pulp layer 12, thereby ensuring the overall biodegradability of the filter F and improving its eco-friendliness.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first fibers 111 of the nonwoven mesh layer 11 are uniformly wood fibers, so that the entire filter F is composed of the wood fibers of the nonwoven mesh layer 11 and the plant fibers 121 of the pulp layer 12, and the plant fibers 121 of the pulp layer 12 can similarly pass through each mesh 112 and be entangled with the first fibers 111 in the form of wood fibers, thereby ensuring that the filtration core material 10 has a stable structural form under the structural configuration in which the nonwoven mesh layer 11 and the pulp layer 12 are entangled, which can impart appropriate hardness to the filter F and provide better biodegradability and eco-friendliness.

[0037] In some embodiments, the entire filter F has a cylindrical shape. Here, in the manufacturing process of the filter F, the nonwoven mesh layer 11 and the pulp layer 12 of the filter core 10 need to be consolidated and then wound into a cylindrical shape. Here, in some embodiments, the first fiber 111 of the nonwoven mesh layer 11 includes polypropylene fibers. Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the circled area 5 in FIG. 4, in order to ensure that the filter core 10 can be smoothly wound into a cylindrical shape and meet the requirements for roundness, the filter F further includes a plurality of softening particles 30, which are located on the surface of the filter core 10, so that the filter F has a certain hardness after the filter core 10 is wound, which makes it easier to wind cigarettes, and after the filter core 10 is softened, the suction effect is further improved and impurities can be more effectively adsorbed.

[0038] In some embodiments in which the filter F includes the softening particles 30, the weight percentage of the softening particles 30 in the filtration core material 10 is 1.0-15.0%, so that the filtration core material 10 can be smoothly wound and shaped to maintain the required hardness. In some embodiments, the softening particles 30 are glyceryl triacetate, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and in these embodiments, the softening particles 30 are uniformly distributed in the filtration core material 10 by a spraying method.

[0039] 6 and 7, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment in which the functional carrier of the filter of the present application is a perfume-carrying thread. FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of the circled area 7 in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the filter F further includes a functional carrier 40 uniformly distributed on the surface of the filter core 10. In these embodiments, the functional carrier 40 is located on the surface of the filter core 10 and exists in the filter F after being wound on the filter F. In some embodiments, the number of functional carriers 40 is not limited to one or more, and the functional carrier 40 may be, but is not limited to, activated carbon, diatomaceous earth, perfume-carrying particles or perfume-carrying thread, thereby providing the filter F with additional functions.

[0040] In some embodiments in which the functional carrier 40 is a fragrance-carrying thread, the number of functional carriers 40 is single (FIG. 6). In these embodiments, the fragrance-carrying thread-type functional carrier 40 is in the form of a strip and is inserted into the filtration core 10 along the axial direction of the filter F. In some embodiments in which the functional carrier 40 is activated carbon, diatomaceous earth, or fragrance-carrying particles, the number of functional carriers 40 is multiple (FIG. 7). In these embodiments, the functional carriers 40 are uniformly distributed on the surface of the filtration core 10, i.e., within the filter F.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a filter including flavor beads according to an embodiment of the present application. In some embodiments, the filter F further includes flavor beads 50 disposed in the filter core 10 of the filter F. In these embodiments, the flavor beads 50 are located in the filter F. This allows the smoker to enjoy different flavors through the flavor beads 50 when using the filter F. In some embodiments in which the filter F includes the flavor beads 50, the number of the flavor beads 50 is one or two, but the present invention is not limited thereto. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10 Filtration core material 11 Nonwoven mesh layer 111 First Fiber 112 mesh 12 Pulp layer 121 Plant Fiber 20 Sheath layer 30 Softening particles 40 Functional Carriers 50 Fragrance Beads C. Smoking articles F Filter W columnar water flow

Claims

1. a nonwoven mesh layer including a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of meshes, the plurality of first fibers being bonded to one another, each mesh being located between each of the first fibers; a pulp layer including a plurality of plant fibers, some of the plant fibers being located on one side of the nonwoven mesh layer and passing through each of the meshes to be entangled with the plurality of first fibers; A filtration core material comprising: a sheath layer covering the periphery of the filtering core; Includes filters.

2. The filter of claim 1 , wherein the first fibers comprise a plurality of polypropylene fibers.

3. 3. The filter according to claim 2, wherein the weight percentage of the polypropylene fibers in the filtering core is less than 45%.

4. 3. The filter of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of softening particles uniformly distributed on a surface of the filtering wick.

5. The filter according to claim 4, wherein a weight ratio of the softening particles to the filtering core material is 1.0 to 15.0%.

6. The filter of claim 1 , wherein the first fibers comprise a plurality of wood fibers.

7. The filter of claim 1 , further comprising a functional carrier disposed within the filter.

8. 10. The filter of claim 1, further comprising fragrance beads disposed within the filter.

9. 10. The filter of claim 1 having a hardness of 70% or greater.

10. 2. The filter according to claim 1, having an airflow resistance of 120 to 800 mmWG, a length of 60 mm to 160 mm, and a diameter of 16 to 25 mm.

11. The filter according to claim 1 , wherein the filtering core has a liquid absorption rate of 230% or more.

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