Degradable cigarette filters

Abstract

Biodegradable cigarette filters comprise shaped fiber of PHBV. Included among these fiber shapes in cross section are Y, V, C, Triad, 4-DG and JC shapes. The shaped fibers may include micro cavities with adsorbents and / or flavorants in the cavities.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE RELATED TO APPLICATION [0001]The present application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 953,296, filed Aug. 1, 2007, for all useful purposes, and the specification and drawings thereof are included herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]The present invention relates to degradable cigarette filters, and more particularly to shaped fibers made from degradable materials and the use of such shaped fibers in cigarette filters.[0003]Conventional cigarette filter plugs are made of cellulose acetate fibers bonded to each other by triacetin. After smoking, the spent filters are sometimes discarded in the environment. The cellulose acetate filaments therein tend to degrade slower than tobacco and / or the paper parts of the cigarettes, often contributing to the litter in the environment. To reduce such litter, there is a need to replace cellulose acetate filaments in cigarette filters with materials that degrade faster than cellulose acetate...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Another object of the present invention is a cigarette filter of biodegradable shaped fibers with increased surface area and reduced overall material per filter.

Problems solved by technology

The cellulose acetate filaments therein tend to degrade slower than tobacco and / or the paper parts of the cigarettes, often contributing to the litter in the environment.

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