Lyocell material, filter for smoking article, smoking article, and methods for manufacturing same

Abstract

The present application relates to a lyocell material, a filter for a smoking article including the lyocell material, and a smoking article. The lyocell material and the filter for a smoking article according to the present application may replace a cellulose acetate material and a filter for a smoking article including the same in the art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a lyocell material, a filter including the same, a smoking article, and a method of preparing the lyocell material.Background Art

[0002] Until now, cellulose acetate fibers have been mainly used as cigarette filter materials. Cellulose acetate is known to be a biodegradable material, but filters for a smoking article made of cellulose acetate remain in their original form for 1 to 2 years even after being buried in soil, and a considerable amount of time is required until the filters are completely biodegraded. Considering the amount and toxicity of tobacco products that are discarded and left in the living environment as well as tobacco products that are collected as waste after being used for smoking and then buried in a landfill, there is a need to further improve the biodegradability of filters for a smoking article. Accordingly, lyocells, which are more environmentally friendly, are recently being chosen as materials for replacing cellulose acetate.Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[0003] An object of the present application is to provide a lyocell material capable of replacing cellulose acetate commercialized for a filter for a smoking article.

[0004] Another object of the present application is to provide a lyocell material for a filter for a smoking article, of which a preparation process is environmentally friendly and which has excellent biodegradability when discarded.

[0005] Another object of the present application is to provide a lyocell filter for a smoking article.

[0006] Another object of the present application is to provide a smoking article (for example., a cigarette) including a lyocell filter.Solution to Problem

[0007] According to an example of the present application, there may be provided a lyocell material, a filter including the same, a smoking article, and the like.

[0008] Specifically, there may be provided a lyocell material including: a first lyocell multifilament; and a second lyocell multifilament, wherein the first lyocell multifilament includes a first monofilament having a first cross section, and the second lyocell multifilament includes a second monofilament having a second cross section, wherein the first cross section is different from the second cross section.

[0009] In addition, there may be provided a filter for a smoking article, which includes a lyocell material including a first lyocell multifilament and a second lyocell multifilament, wherein the first lyocell multifilament includes a first monofilament having a first cross section, and the second lyocell multifilament includes a second monofilament having a second cross section, wherein the first cross section is different from the second cross section.

[0010] According to another specific example of the present application, there may be provided a smoking article including the lyocell material or the filter.

[0011] According to another specific example of the present application, there may be provided a method of preparing the lyocell material.

[0012] As used herein, the term "smoking article" may refer to an article such as a tobacco (cigarette) or a cigar capable of generating aerosol. In this regard, the smoking article may include an aerosol-generating material or an aerosol-forming substrate. In addition, the smoking article may include a solid material based on a tobacco raw material such as a tobacco leaf, a cut tobacco, or a reconstituted tobacco. In addition, the smoking material may include a volatile compound.

[0013] Unless specifically defined otherwise in the specification, when the properties of lyocell materials, filters for a smoking article, and components or compositions related thereto are affected by a temperature, the temperature at which the properties are confirmed or measured may be room temperature. In this case, the room temperature may be a temperature which is not particularly lowered or raised and may be, for example, in a range of 10 °C to 35 °C, specifically in a range of 15 °C to 35 °C or 20 °C to 30 °C, or may be about 25 °C.

[0014] In this specification, the term "different" may mean that one is qualitatively different from another. For example, "A and B are different" means that an amount of A and an amount of B are the same, but A and B are qualitatively distinguished from each other or also mean that A and B are quantitatively different and are qualitatively distinguished from each other. The term "qualitative characteristics" may refer to non-quantitative characteristics. For example, "qualitative" differences may include differences in color, shape, texture, structure, and composition.

[0015] As used herein, the term "crimp" may refer to a weaved, curled, or undulated configuration imparted to materials such as a fiber, a (mono)filament, a multifilament, and / or yarn inherently or through mechanical, thermal, and / or chemical processes. The crimp may be characterized by a periodic deviation from a straight line axis along a length of a material, a fiber, a filament, a multifilament, and / or yarn. In the material, in the fiber, the filament, the multifilament, and / or the yarn, one crimp may be defined as one repeating unit of the periodic deviation. The presence of the crimp affects properties such as elasticity, bulk, resilience, and texture of a material and a fabric made of the material.

[0016] As used herein, the term "degree of polymerization (DPw)" may refer to the number of monomer units and / or repeating units in a macromolecule, a polymer, or an oligomer molecule. The DPw may be expressed as Mn / M0, wherein Mn is a number average molecular weight of a macromolecule, a polymer, or an oligomer molecule, and M0 is a molecular weight of a monomer or a repeating unit.

[0017] Hereinafter, the present application is described in more detail.

[0018] The present application relates to a lyocell material. The lyocell material may be used in a smoking article, and although not particularly limited, the lyocell material may be used in a filter for a smoking article.

[0019] According to an aspect, there may be provided a lyocell material including: a first lyocell multifilament; and a second lyocell multifilament, wherein the first lyocell multifilament includes a first monofilament having a first cross section, and the second lyocell multifilament includes a second monofilament having a second cross section, wherein the first cross section is different from the second cross section.

[0020] In some embodiments, at least one of the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be crimped.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may each be crimped.

[0022] In some embodiments, the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may each independently have 10 to 50 crimps per inch.

[0023] In some embodiments, at least one of the first cross section and the second cross section may be a multi-lobal cross section.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first cross section may be a first multi-lobal cross section, and the second cross section may be a second multi-lobal cross section.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first multi-lobal cross section may include three protrusions, and the second multi-lobal cross section may include a plurality of protrusions. For example, the second multi-lobal cross section may include two protrusions, four protrusions, or five protrusions.

[0026] In some embodiments, at least one of the first cross section and the second cross section may not be a multi-lobal cross section. For example, at least one of the first cross section and the second cross section may be a circular cross section.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first cross section may be a circular cross section, and the second cross section may be a multi-lobal cross section. In addition, the first cross section may be a multi-lobal cross section, and the second cross section may be a circular cross section.

[0028] In some embodiments, a space occupancy ratio of the first monofilament may be in a range of 100 % to 120 %, and a space occupancy ratio of the second monofilament may be in a range of 120 % to 600 %.

[0029] In some embodiments, a modified ratio of the first monofilament may be in a range of 1.0 to 1.2, and a modified ratio of the second monofilament may be in a range of 1.2 to 10.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be mixed. For example, the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be braided, woven, non-woven, arranged, or co-spun.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be co-spun.

[0032] In some embodiments, the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be bonded by a binder, and the binder may include at least one of a polyester-based binder, a cellulose-based binder, and a vinyl-based binder.

[0033] An exemplary lyocell material may have a total fineness of 15,000 to 55,000 denier.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first lyocell multifilament may be included in a content of 1 part by weight to 99 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the total weight of the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament.

[0035] In some embodiments, the second lyocell multifilament may be included in a content of 1 part by weight to 99 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the total weight of the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament.

[0036] In some embodiments, the second lyocell multifilament may be included in a content of 1 part by weight to 10,000 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the first lyocell multifilament.

[0037] An exemplary lyocell material may be lyocell tow.

[0038] An exemplary lyocell material may be used for a filter for a smoking article.

[0039] According to an aspect, there may be provided a filter for a smoking article including any one selected from exemplary lyocell materials.

[0040] According to an aspect, there may be provided a smoking article including any one selected from exemplary lyocell materials.

[0041] According to an aspect, there may be provided a smoking article including any one selected from exemplary filters for a smoking article.

[0042] According to an aspect, there may be provided a method of preparing a lyocell material, the method including a lyocell dope spinning operation and coagulation and multifilament obtaining operations.

[0043] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the lyocell dope spinning operation may include spinning a first lyocell multifilament including a first monofilament and spinning a second lyocell multifilament including a second monofilament, wherein a first cross section of the first monofilament is different from a second cross section of the second monofilament.

[0044] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be spun using the same lyocell dope or different lyocell dopes.

[0045] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament may be sequentially or simultaneously performed.

[0046] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament may be performed through the same spinneret or different spinnerets.

[0047] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament may be simultaneously performed through the same spinneret.

[0048] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament may be performed through the same spinneret, and a cross sectional area of a discharge port (also referred to as a first discharge port) through which the first lyocell multifilament is discharged may be different from a cross sectional area of a discharge port (also referred to as a second discharge port) through which the second lyocell multifilament is discharged.

[0049] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament may be sequentially performed, and the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be coagulated and obtained in the same coagulation tank.

[0050] A lyocell material according to an embodiment may include a first lyocell multifilament including a first monofilament and a second lyocell multifilament including a second monofilament, wherein a first cross section of the first monofilament is different from a second cross section of the second monofilament. Therefore, the lyocell material according to an embodiment may include at least two types of monofilaments having different cross section.

[0051] As a result, the lyocell material according to an embodiment may uniformly have the properties by the first monofilament having the first cross section and the properties by the second monofilament having the second cross section.

[0052] Specifically, when the first cross section is a circular cross section, and the second cross section is a multi-lobal cross section, the lyocell material according to an embodiment may simultaneously have the improved mechanical properties of the first monofilament and the improved specific surface area of the second monofilament. Accordingly, even when a filter for a smoking article includes a relatively small amount of lyocell material, certain suction resistance may be implemented, and simultaneously, mechanical properties (for example, strength of a lyocell material) related to a filter and the uniformity thereof may be relatively improved. Thus, a filter for a smoking article having low weight and high strength may be prepared by including a lyocell material according to an embodiment.

[0053] In addition, shapes of the first cross section and the second cross section may each be controlled, thereby more finely adjusting the physical properties of the lyocell material including the first multifilament and the second multifilament. For example, the physical properties (for example, the specific surface area of the lyocell material) of the lyocell material according to an embodiment may be more finely adjusted as compared to the physical properties of a lyocell material including only one type of lyocell multifilament.[Multi-lobal cross section]

[0054] At least one of the first cross section of the first monofilament and the second cross section of the second monofilament included in the lyocell material of the present application may be a multi-lobal cross section. The term "multi-lobal" may mean that a shape of an outline of a cross section is not circular, and the term "cross section" may be a cross section obtained by cutting a lyocell monofilament in a direction virtually or actually perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of a filament.

[0055] An outline of the multi-lobal cross section may touch each of a virtual first circle and a virtual second circle. In addition, the virtual second circle may be depicted inside the virtual first circle, and / or the virtual second circle may be placed inside the virtual first circle. The "virtual first circle" may also be referred to as a "virtual circumscribed circle" and / or a "circumscribed circle," and / or the "virtual second circle" may also be referred to as a "virtual inscribed circle" and / or a "inscribed circle."

[0056] The virtual first circle may be a circle with the smallest area value among circles drawn to completely encompass one cross section of a monofilament. The virtual second circle may be a circle with the largest area value among circles drawn inside a cross section of a monofilament.

[0057] When a circumscribed circle encompassing across section of a monofilament may be drawn, the virtual first circle may be the circumscribed circle. When an inscribed circle may be drawn inside a cross section of a monofilament, the virtual second circle may be the inscribed circle.

[0058] The multi-lobal cross section may have a shape including a plurality of protrusions and may include, for example, three protrusions. Here, the term "protrusion" may refer to a distinct and extended segment or arm extending outward from a central portion or junction point of a monofilament cross section. The multi-lobal cross section may be a Y-shaped cross section. It may be understood that the plurality of protrusions are formed as an integral type with the virtual second circle as a central portion and have a shape of which an end touches the virtual first circle.

[0059] A modified ratio of a monofilament may be defined by Equation 1 below. Modified ratio = r 1 / r 2

[0060] Here, r1 is a radius of the virtual first circle, and r2 is a radius of the virtual second circle.

[0061] For example, the radius of the virtual first circle may be in a range of 4 to 40 µm, the radius of the virtual second circle may be in a range of 2 to 14 µm, and the modified ratio may be in a range of 1.01 to 10.

[0062] In addition, a space occupancy ratio of a monofilament may be defined by Equation 2. Space occupancy ratio = S 1 / S 2 × 100 %

[0063] Here, S1 is an area of the virtual first circle, and S2 is a cross sectional area of a monofilament included a lyocell fiber.

[0064] In addition, a space occupancy ratio of a monofilament having a multi-lobal cross section may be in a range of 120 % to 600 %.

[0065] More specifically, the space occupancy ratio of the monofilament having the multi-lobal cross section may be in a range of 120 % to 600 %, 130 % to 600 %, 140 % to 600 %, 150 % to 600 %, 160 % to 600 %, 170 % to 600 %, 180 % to 600 %, 190 % to 600 %, 200 % to 600 %, 210 % to 600 %, 220 % to 600 %, 230 % to 600 %, 240 % to 600 %, 250 % to 600 %, 260 % to 600 %, 270 % to 600 %, 280 % to 600 %, 290 % to 600 %, 300 % to 600 %, 310 % to 600 %, 320 % to 600 %, 330 % to 600 %, 340 % to 600 %, 350 % to 600 %, 360 % to 600 %, 370 % to 600 %, 380 % to 600 %, 390 % to 600 %, 400 % to 600 %, 410 % to 600 %, 420 % to 600 %, 430 % to 600 %, 440 % to 600 %, 450 % to 600 %, 460 % to 600 %, 470 % to 600 %, 480 % to 600 %, 490 % to 600 %, 500 % to 600 %, 510 % to 600 %, 520 % to 600 %, 530 % to 600 %, 540 % to 600 %, 550 % to 600 %, 560 % to 600 %, 570 % to 600 %, 580 % to 600 %, 590 % to 600 %, 120 % to 550 %, 130 % to 550 %, 140 % to 550 %, 150 % to 550 %, 160 % to 550 %, 170 % to 550 %, 180 % to 550 %, 190 % to 550 %, 200 % to 550 %, 210 % to 550 %, 220 % to 550 %, 230 % to 550 %, 240 % to 550 %, 250 % to 550 %, 260 % to 550 %, 270 % to 550 %, 280 % to 550 %, 290 % to 550 %, 300 % to 550 %, 310 % to 550 %, 320 % to 550 %, 330 % to 550 %, 340 % to 550 %, 350 % to 550 %, 360 % to 550 %, 370 % to 550 %, 380 % to 550 %, 390 % to 550 %, 400 % to 550 %, 410 % to 550 %, 420 % to 550 %, 430 % to 550 %, 440 % to 550 %, 450 % to 550 %, 460 % to 550 %, 470 % to 550 %, 480 % to 550 %, 490 % to 550 %, 500 % to 550 %, 510 % to 550 %, 520 % to 550 %, 530 % to 550 %, 540 % to 550 %, 120 % to 500 %, 130 % to 500 %, 140 % to 500 %, 150 % to 500 %, 160 % to 500 %, 170 % to 500 %, 180 % to 500 %, 190 % to 500 %, 200 % to 500 %, 210 % to 500 %, 220 % to 500 %, 230 % to 500 %, 240 % to 500 %, 250 % to 500 %, 260 % to 500 %, 270 % to 500 %, 280 % to 500 %, 290 % to 500 %, 300 % to 500 %, 310 % to 500 %, 320 % to 500 %, 330 % to 500 %, 340 % to 500 %, 350 % to 500 %, 360 % to 500 %, 370 % to 500 %, 380 % to 500 %, 390 % to 500 %, 400 % to 500 %, 410 % to 500 %, 420 % to 500 %, 430 % to 500 %, 440 % to 500 %, 450 % to 500 %, 460 % to 500 %, 470 % to 500 %, 480 % to 500 %, 490 % to 500 %, 120 % to 450 %, 130 % to 450 %, 140 % to 450 %, 150 % to 450 %, 160 % to 450 %, 170 % to 450 %, 180 % to 450 %, 190 % to 450 %, 200 % to 450 %, 210 % to 450 %, 220 % to 450 %, 230 % to 450 %, 240 % to 450 %, 250 % to 450 %, 260 % to 450 %, 270 % to 450 %, 280 % to 450 %, 290 % to 450 %, 300 % to 450 %, 310 % to 450 %, 320 % to 450 %, 330 % to 450 %, 340 % to 450 %, 350 % to 450 %, 360 % to 450 %, 370 % to 450 %, 380 % to 450 %, 390 % to 450 %, 400 % to 450 %, 410 % to 450 %, 420 % to 450 %, 430 % to 450 %, 440 % to 450 %, 120 % to 400 %, 130 % to 400 %, 140 % to 400 %, 150 % to 400 %, 160 % to 400 %, 170 % to 400 %, 180 % to 400 %, 190 % to 400 %, 200 % to 400 %, 210 % to 400 %, 220 % to 400 %, 230 % to 400 %, 240 % to 400 %, 250 % to 400 %, 260 % to 400 %, 270 % to 400 %, 280 % to 400 %, 290 % to 400 %, 300 % to 400 %, 310 % to 400 %, 320 % to 400 %, 330 % to 400 %, 340 % to 400 %, 350 % to 400 %, 360 % to 400 %, 370 % to 400 %, 380 % to 400 %, 390 % to 400 %, 120 % to 350 %, 130 % to 350 %, 140 % to 350 %, 150 % to 350 %, 160 % to 350 %, 170 % to 350 %, 180 % to 350 %, 190 % to 350 %, 200 % to 350 %, 210 % to 350 %, 220 % to 350 %, 230 % to 350 %, 240 % to 350 %, 250 % to 350 %, 260 % to 350 %, 270 % to 350 %, 280 % to 350 %, 290 % to 350 %, 300 % to 350 %, 310 % to 350 %, 320 % to 350 %, 330 % to 350 %, 340 % to 350 %, 120 % to 300 %, 130 % to 300 %, 140 % to 300 %, 150 % to 300 %, 160 % to 300 %, 170 % to 300 %, 180 % to 300 %, 190 % to 300 %, 200 % to 300 %, 210 % to 300 %, 220 % to 300 %, 230 % to 300 %, 240 % to 300 %, 250 % to 300 %, 260 % to 300 %, 270 % to 300 %, 280 % to 300 %, 290 % to 300 %, 120 % to 250 %, 130 % to 250 %, 140 % to 250 %, 150 % to 250 %, 160 % to 250 %, 170 % to 250 %, 180 % to 250 %, 190 % to 250 %, 200 % to 250 %, 210 % to 250 %, 220 % to 250 %, 230 % to 250 %, 240 % to 250 %, 120 % to 200 %, 130 % to 200 %, 140 % to 200 %, 150 % to 200 %, 160 % to 200 %, 170 % to 200 %, 180 % to 200 %, 190 % to 200 %, 120 % to 150 %, 130 % to 150 %, or 140 % to 150 %.

[0066] In addition, when at least one of the first cross section and the second cross section is a multi-lobal cross section, the specific surface area of the lyocell material including the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be improved. As a result, the filterability of a filter for a smoking article including the lyocell material may be improved.

[0067] Meanwhile, at least one of the first monofilament and the second monofilament may have a cross section that is not a multi-lobal cross section. At least one of the first cross section and the second cross section may not be a multi-lobal cross section. For example, a cross section that is not a multi-lobal cross section may be a circular cross section.

[0068] For example, the first cross section of the first monofilament may be a circular cross section. When the first cross section is a circular cross section, the first monofilament may provide improved mechanical properties as compared to a monofilament having a multi-lobal cross section. For example, the first monofilament of which the first cross section is a circular cross section may provide more uniform mechanical properties.[Fineness]

[0069] A lyocell material of the present application may have a fineness suitable for preparing a filter for a smoking article and securing a function thereof.

[0070] In an example, a single fineness of a monofilament included in a lyocell multifilament may be in a range of 1.5 to 8.0 denier. In this case, a single fineness of a filament may refer to a fineness of a single monofilament separated from a multifilament.

[0071] In addition, a single fineness of a first monofilament may be equal to a single fineness of a second monofilament.

[0072] Specifically, the single fineness of the filament may be, for example, 7.5 denier or less, 7.0 denier or less, 6.5 denier or less, 6.0 denier or less, 5.5 denier or less, 5.0 denier or less, 4.5 denier or less, 3.5 denier or less, 3.0 denier or less, 2.5 denier or less, or 2.0 denier or less. A lower limit of the single fineness of the filament may be, for example, 2.0 denier or more, 2.5 denier or more, 3.0 denier or more, 3.5 denier or more, 4.0 denier or more, 4.5 denier or more, 5.0 denier or more, 5.5 denier or more, 6.0 denier or more, 6.5 denier or more, or 7.0 denier or more. Satisfying the above range may be more advantageous in securing stable physical properties (for example, implementing hardness or Suction resistance) and processability of a filter for a smoking article.

[0073] In an example, the total fineness of the lyocell material may be in a range of 15,000 to 55,000 denier, and the total fineness of the lyocell material may be calculated as the sum of the total fineness of the first lyocell multifilament and the total fineness of the second lyocell multifilament. For example, a lower limit of the total fineness may be, for example, 16,000 or more, 16,500 or more, 17,000 or more, 17,500 or more, 18,000 or more, 18,500 or more, 19,000 or more, 19,500 or more, 20,000 or more, 20,500 or more, 21,000 or more, 21,500 or more, 22,000 or more, 22,500 or more, 23,000 or more, 23,500 or more, 24,000 or more, 24,500 or more, 25,000 or more, 25,500 or more, 26,000 or more, 26,500 or more, 27,000 or more, 27,500 or more, 28,000 or more, 28,500 or more, 29,000 or more, 29,500 or more, 30,000 or more, 30,500 or more, 31,000 or more, 31,500 or more, 32,000 or more, 32,500 or more, 33,000 or more, 33,500 or more, 34,000 or more, 34,500 or more, 35,000 or more, 35,500 or more, 36,000 or more, 36,500 or more, 37,000 or more, 37,500 or more, 38,000 or more 38,500 or more, 39,000 or more, 39,500 or more, 40,000 or more 40,500 or more, 41,000 or more, 41,500 or more, 42,000 or more, 42,500 or more, 43,000 or more, 43,500 or more, 44,000 or more, 44,500 or more, 45,000 or more, 45,500 or more, 46,000 or more, 46,500 or more, 47,000 or more, 47,500 or more, 48,000 or more, 48,500 or more, 49,000 or more, 49,500 or more, 50,000 or more, 50,500 or more, 51,000 or more, 51,500 or more, 52,000 or more, 52,500 or more, 53,000 or more, 53,500 or more, 54,000 or 54,500 or more. An upper limit of the total fineness may be, for example, 54,500 or less, 54,000 or less, 53,500 or less, 53,000 or less, 52,500 or less, 52,000 or less, 51,500 or less, 51,000 or less, 50,500 or less, 50,000 or less, 49,500 or less, 49,000 or less, 48,500 or less, 48,000 or less, 47,500 or less, 47,000 or less, 46,500 or less, 46,000 or less, 45,500 or less, 45,000 or less, 44,500 or less, 44,000 or less, 43,500 or less, 43,000 or less, 42,500 or less, 42,000 or less, 41,500 or less, 41,000 or less, 40,500 or less, 40,000 or less, 39,500 or less, 39,000 or less, 38,500 or less, 38,000 or less, 37,500 or less, 37,000 or less, 36,500 or less, 36,000 or less, 35,500 or less, 35,000 or less, 34,500 or less, 34,000 or less, 33,500 or less, 33,000 or less, 32,500 or less, 32,000 or less, 31,500 or less, 31,000 or less, 30,500 or less, 30,000 or less, 29,500 or less, 29,000 or less, 28,500 or less, 28,000 or less, 27,500 or less, 27,000 or less, 26,500 or less, 26,000 or less, 25,500 or less, 25,000 or less, 24,500 or less, 24,000 or less, 23,500 or less, 23,000 or less, 22,500 or less, 22,000 or less, 21,500 or less, 21,000 or less, 20,500 or less, 20,000 or less, 19,500 or less, 19,000 or less, 18,500 or less, 18,000 or less, 17,500 or less, 17,000 or less, 16,500 or less, 16,000 or less, or 15,500 or less. When the total fineness is outside the above range, the preparation processability of a filter for a smoking article may not be good (continuous process is not possible due to cutting), and when an amount of tow filling filter paper during preparation of a filter for a smoking article is too small or too large, it may be difficult to secure sufficient filter physical properties (for example, hardness or suction resistance).

[0074] A method of measuring a fineness is not particularly limited, but for example, a lyocell material to be measured, for example, a 2 m sample of lyocell tow, is taken, left, and stabilized in a room with a constant temperature and humidity at a temperature of 20 °C and a humidity of 65 % for 24 hours. One end of the stabilized lyocell tow is fixed, and a 2 kg weight is attached to the other end thereof. The tow stretched due to a load thereof is maintained (stabilized) for 5 seconds and then cut into 90 cm length to obtain a sample and measure a weight of the sample (total fineness). A fineness is calculated as a measured weight×10,000 according to a denier conversion method. A single fineness of a monofilament in the sample is calculated by dividing the total fineness of the sample by the number of monofilaments in the sample.

[0075] In addition, the total fineness of the lyocell material may be determined according to the single fineness of the monofilament and the number of crimps. In the present application, a single fineness and the number of crimps may be controlled, and the total fineness of a lyocell material (for example, lyocell tow) suitable for preparing a filter for a smoking article and securing a function thereof may be secured.[Number of crimps]

[0076] In an example, the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may each independently have 10 to 50 crimps per inch. For example, the number of crimps may be 15 ea / inch or more, 20 ea / inch or more, 25 ea / inch or more, 30 ea / inch or more, 35 ea / inch or more, 40 ea / inch or more, or 45 ea / inch or more, and an upper limit thereof may be, for example, 45 ea / inch or less, 40 ea / inch or less, 35 ea / inch or less, 30 ea / inch or less, or 25 ea / inch or less. The number of crimps and the uniformity thereof may be controlled through pressure and temperature conditions or the like related to a crimping operation which will be described below.

[0077] Although not particularly limited, the number of crimps may be measured by using, for example, a single fiber property evaluation device (Favimat). Specifically, a sample of a prepared lyocell material (for example, lyocell tow) may be left and stabilized for 24 hours under conditions of a temperature of 20±2 °C and a humidity of 65±4 %. A specimen may be taken from the stabilized sample such that the crimp is not damaged. The taken specimen may be mounted on a dedicated jig with a length (gauge length) of 10 mm to 30 mm. An initial load during measurement may be 0.05 g / tex, and crimp sensitivity may be 0.01 mm. The number of crimps may be measured under the above-described conditions (that is, a temperature of 20±2 °C and a humidity of 65±4 %).

[0078] Although not particularly limited, a lyocell material prepared to satisfy the single fineness, the total fineness, and / or the number of crimps described above may be used in a smoking article.[Binder]

[0079] In a non-limiting example, the lyocell material may further include a binder. In addition, by including the binder, the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament may be bonded.

[0080] The binder may be present, for example, on a surface of the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament or between the first lyocell multifilament (or a monofilament) and / or the second lyocell multifilament. The binder may further increase the hardness of a filter for a smoking article, thereby preventing problems such as filter jamming during a process of preparing a filter or a process of preparing a smoking article (for example, a tobacco).

[0081] Types of available binders are not particularly limited, and any known binder may be used at a level that does not impede the purpose of the disclosure. For example, a binder capable of providing sufficient compatibility with an emulsion used in the present application, improving the hardness of a filter, and providing excellent bonding strength may be used.

[0082] In a non-limiting example, the binder may include a polyester-based binder, a cellulose-based binder, and / or a vinyl-based binder.

[0083] Although not particularly limited, as the polyester-based binder, a polyester binder including at least one selected from alkylene, arylene, and heteroarylene having 5 to 12 carbon atoms may be used.

[0084] Examples of the cellulose-based binders may include hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), ethyl cellulose (EC), methyl cellulose (MC), and / or carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0085] Examples of the vinyl-based binder may include polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and / or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVAc), but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0086] A method of applying the binder onto a lyocell material (coating) will be described below.[Emulsion]

[0087] The lyocell material may include an emulsion applied onto: a first lyocell multifilament; a second lyocell multifilament; and at least one of the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament. According to some embodiments, the emulsion may be applied onto the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament. The emulsion may include: (a) an esterified product of a fatty acid having 16 or more carbon atoms and aliphatic monohydric alcohol; and (b) an esterified product of sorbitan and a fatty acid having 16 or more carbon atoms. The emulsion may be applied onto some or all of monofilaments or multifilaments constituting the lyocell material. In addition, the emulsion may permeate between filaments.

[0088] The emulsion including at least components (a) and (b) may have hydrophobicity. As a result, the lyocell material treated with the emulsion may have excellent spreading properties.

[0089] In a specific example of the present application, the lyocell material may include a certain content of the emulsion. In this case, the content of the emulsion may refer to OPU (wt%) which will be described below. "OPU" may refer to "oil pick up ratio." For example, the lyocell material may include the emulsion in a content of 0.1 wt% or more with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the lyocell material. Specifically, the content of the emulsion may be 0.5 wt% or more, 1.0 wt% or more, 1.5 wt% or more, 2.0 wt% or more, 2.5 wt% or more, or 3.0 wt% or more, or specifically 3.5 wt% or more, 4.0 wt% or more, 4.2 wt% or more, 4.5 wt% or more, 5.0 wt% or more, 5.5 wt% or more, 6.0 wt% or more, 6.5 wt% or more, 7.0 wt% or more, 7.5 wt% or more, 8.0 wt% or more, 8.5 wt% or more, 9.0 wt% or more, or 9.5 wt% or more. An upper limit of the content of the emulsion may be, for example, 20.0 wt% or less, 18.0 wt% or less, 17.0 wt% or less, 16.0 wt% or less, 15.0 wt% or less, 14.5 wt% or less, 14.0 wt% or less, 13.5 wt% or less, 13.0 wt% or less, 12.5 wt% or less, 12.0 wt% or less, 11.5 wt% or less, 11.0 wt% or less, 10.5 wt% or less, 10 wt% or less, 9.5 wt% or less, 9.0 wt% or less, 8.5 wt% or less, 8.0 wt% or less, 7.8 wt% or less, or 7.6 wt% or less.

[0090] As a method of measuring the content (OPU) of the emulsion, for example, an extrusion method may be used. For example, a sample (for example, in a content of 2 g to 5 g or specifically about 2.5 g) is collected (in this case, a weight of the collected sample is referred to as a sample weight), and the sample is put into a syringe-shaped container. A material of the above container is not particularly limited, but may be a stainless steel (SUS) material. Next, a solvent (for example, methanol) is put into the container into which the sample is put (an amount of the input solvent may be 10 ml or less (for example, about 8 ml)). When the solvent is added to the sample, a dropping method may be used, and a dropping speed may be uniformly adjusted. As described above, the solvent put into the container is allowed to drop on a plate from one end of the syringe-shaped container. In this case, the plate is pre-weighed (a measured weight is referred to as plate weight A), and the plate is installed such that the solvent dropped on the plate is removed away (that is, being evaporated) at a temperature of 120 °C to 130 °C (for example, 125 °C). The solvent addition and solvent dropping are performed three times, and pressure (for example, 10 kgf / cm 2< or less, 5 kgf / cm 2< or less, or 2 kgf / cm 2< to 4 kgf / cm 2< ) is applied to the sample by using a syringe-shaped container to press the sample once. Thus, the solvent and emulsion present in the sample are sufficiently extruded. The sample is squeezed out by applying pressure until no solvent comes out. Afterwards, the plate is stored in a desiccator for 5 minutes to 10 minutes, and a weight (plate weight B) of the plate containing the sample is measured. Then, a content of the emulsion is calculated according to a formula below. Content of emulsion by extrusion OPU , % or wt % = plate weight B − plate weight A / sample weight × 100

[0091] In addition, a lyocell material that is used as a reference for the content of the emulsion may include a first lyocell multifilament treated with an emulsion and a second lyocell multifilament treated with an emulsion. For example, the lyocell material may include a first lyocell multifilament and / or a second lyocell multifilament to which primary emulsion treatment (to be described below) has been applied, a first lyocell multifilament and / or a second lyocell multifilament to which primary emulsion treatment and secondary emulsion treatment (to be described below) have been applied, or a first lyocell multifilament and / or a second lyocell multifilament treated with the above-described emulsion and also treated with a binder to be described below. In addition, the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament, which have been treated with an emulsion and / or a binder, may each be crimped.

[0092] In relation to the emulsion of the present application, component (a) may be a compound that may function as a type of lubricant or oil and may be a component that is harmless to the human body enough to be used in food. Component (a) may provide lubricity to fibers put into a crimper. When the lubricity is not sufficient, lyocells may clump together and may not escape the crimper, and when the lubricity is too high, there may be a problem in that a crimp is not formed properly. In consideration of such functions, a content of component (a) may be controlled as described below.

[0093] Regarding component (a), types of fatty acids having 16 or more carbon atoms forming the esterified product are not particularly limited. Fatty acids having 16 or more carbon atoms may be used as long as the fatty acids may provide esterified products that are harmless to the human body enough to be used in food.

[0094] For example, saturated fatty acids and / or unsaturated fatty acids may be used as fatty acids having one or more 16 carbon atoms.

[0095] Examples of the saturated fatty acids may include a palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 14 COOH), a margaric acid (heptadecanoic acid, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 15 COOH), a stearic acid (octadecanoic acid, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 16 COOH), a nonadecylic acid (nonadecanoic acid, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 17 COOH), or an arachidic acid (eicosanoic acid, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 18 COOH). However, types of available saturated fatty acids are not limited thereto.

[0096] Examples of the unsaturated fatty acids may include a palmitoleic acid (CH 3 (CH 2 ) 5 CH=CH(CH 2 ) 7 COOH), an oleic acid (CH 3 (CH 2 ) 7 CH=CH(CH 2 ) 7 COOH), a linoleic acid (C 18 H 32 O 2 ), or an arachidonic acid (C 20 H 32 O 2 ). However, types of available saturated fatty acids are not limited thereto.

[0097] According to some embodiments, the fatty acid may be selected from a palmitic acid, a margaric acid, a stearic acid, a nonadecylic acid, an arachidic acid, a palmitoleic acid, an oleic acid, a linoleic acid, and an arachidonic acid.

[0098] An upper limit of a carbon number of the fatty acid having 16 or more carbon atoms is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 40 or less, 36 or less, 32 or less, 28 or less, 24 or less, or 20 or less.

[0099] Regarding component (a), types of aliphatic monohydric alcohols forming component (a) are also not particularly limited. Aliphatic monohydric alcohols may be used as long as the aliphatic monohydric alcohols may provide esterified products that are harmless to the human body enough to be used in foods.

[0100] For example, component (a) may be saturated aliphatic alcohol or unsaturated aliphatic alcohol, which may have a linear or branched form.

[0101] In an example, a carbon number of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol may be in a range of 1 to 40. Specifically, the carbon number of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol may be, for example, 4 or more, 8 or more, 12 or more, 16 or more, or 20 or more.

[0102] Examples of the aliphatic monohydric alcohol may include methanol, ethanol, butanol, lauryl alcohol, isotridecanol, or stearyl alcohol, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0103] According to some embodiments, the aliphatic monohydric alcohol may be selected from methanol, ethanol, butanol, lauryl alcohol, isotridecanol, and stearyl alcohol.

[0104] In some embodiments, an esterified product of isotridecanol and a stearic acid (for example, isotridecyl stearate) may be used as component (a). However, types of available component (a) are not limited thereto.

[0105] As will be described below, a content of component (a) included in the emulsion may be adjusted in consideration of the function of the emulsion or the function of component (a).

[0106] Component (b), that is, esterified product of sorbitan and a fatty acid having 16 or more carbon atoms, is a compound that may function as a type of emulsifier and may be a component harmless to the human body enough to be used in food.

[0107] Since component (b) has both hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity due to polyhydric alcohol (that is, sorbitan), component (b) enables component (a), which provides lubricity to the fiber, to be well dispersed in water, which will be described below. In addition, components (a) and (b) used together not only may increase the dispersibility of the emulsion as described above, but also may lower a melting point, thereby ensuring the use / handling and stability of the emulsion. In consideration of such functions, a content of component (b) may be controlled as described below.

[0108] Regarding component (b), types of fatty acids having 16 or more carbon atoms forming component (b) are not particularly limited. Fatty acids having 16 or more carbon atoms may be used as long as the fatty acids may provide esterified products that are harmless to the human body enough to be used in food.

[0109] For example, saturated fatty acids and / or unsaturated fatty acids may be used as fatty acids having one or more 16 carbon atoms.

[0110] Examples of the saturated fatty acids may include a palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 14 COOH), a margaric acid (heptadecanoic acid, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 15 COOH), a stearic acid (octadecanoic acid, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 16 COOH), a nonadecylic acid (nonadecanoic acid, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 17 COOH), or an arachidic acid (eicosanoic acid, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 18 COOH). However, types of available saturated fatty acids are not limited thereto.

[0111] According to some embodiments, the fatty acid may be selected from a palmitic acid, a margaric acid, a stearic acid, a nonadecylic acid, an arachidic acid, a palmitoleic acid, an oleic acid, a linoleic acid, and an arachidonic acid.

[0112] Examples of the unsaturated fatty acids may include a palmitoleic acid (CH 3 (CH 2 ) 5 CH=CH(CH 2 ) 7 COOH), an oleic acid (CH 3 (CH 2 ) 7 CH=CH(CH 2 ) 7 COOH), a linoleic acid (C 18 H 32 O 2 ), or an arachidonic acid (C 20 H 32 O 2 ). However, types of available saturated fatty acids are not limited thereto.

[0113] An upper limit of a carbon number of the fatty acid having 16 or more carbon atoms is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 40 or less, 36 or less, 32 or less, 28 or less, 24 or less, or 20 or less.

[0114] In a specific example of the present application, an esterified product of sorbitan and an oleic acid (for example, sorbitan monooleate) may be used as component (b). However, types of available component (b) component are not limited thereto.

[0115] A content of component (b) may be adjusted in consideration of the function of component (b) and the function of the emulsion as described above.

[0116] In an example, the emulsion may include (b) an esterified product of sorbitan and a fatty acid having 16 or more carbon atoms in a content of 20 parts by weight to 60 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of (a) an esterified product of a fatty acid having 16 or more carbon atoms and aliphatic monohydric alcohol.

[0117] Specifically, the emulsion of the present application may include component (b) in a content of 25 parts by weight or more, 30 parts by weight or more, 35 parts by weight or more, 40 parts by weight or more, 45 parts by weight or more, or 50 parts by weight or more with respect to 100 parts by weight of component (a). An upper limit of the content of component (b) with respect to 100 parts by weight of component (a) may be, for example, 55 parts by weight or less, 50 parts by weight or less, 45 parts by weight or less, 40 parts by weight or less, 35 parts by weight or less, 30 parts by weight or less, or 25 parts by weight or less. When the above range of the content is satisfied, a surface of a lyocell multifilament or lyocell tow treated with an emulsion may have hydrophobicity.

[0118] In an example, the emulsion may include (a) the esterified product of fatty acid having 16 or more carbon atoms and aliphatic monohydric alcohol in a content of 40 to 80 wt% with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the emulsion. Specifically, the content of component (a) may be 45 wt% or more, 50 wt% or more, 55 wt% or more, 60 wt% or more, or 65 wt% or more, 70 wt% or more, or 75 wt% or more with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the emulsion. An upper limit of the content of component (a) may be, for example, 75 wt% or less, 70 wt% or less, 65 wt% or less, 60 wt% or less, 55 wt% or less, 50 wt% or less, or 45 wt% or less.

[0119] In an example, the emulsion may include an excess amount of component (a).

[0120] In an example, the emulsion may include (b) the esterified product of sorbitan and the fatty acid having 16 or more carbon atoms in a content of 15 to 55 wt% with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the emulsion. Specifically, the content of component (b) may be 20 wt% or more, 25 wt% or more, 30 wt% or more, 35 wt% or more, 40 wt% or more, 45 wt% or more, or 50 wt% or more with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the emulsion. An upper limit of the content of component (b) may be, for example, 50 wt% or less, 45 wt% or less, 40 wt% or less, 35 wt% or less, 30 wt% or less, or 25 wt% or less.

[0121] In an example, the emulsion may further include water. A small amount of water may assist in emulsifying.

[0122] A content of water is not particularly limited, but water may be included in the remaining content excluding the total content of components (a) and (b) with respect to the total of 100 wt% of the emulsion. The content of water in the emulsion (that is, the remaining content excluding the total content of the remaining components excluding water) may be, for example, 10 wt% or less, 9 wt% or less, 8 wt% or less, 7 wt% or less, 6 wt% or less, 5 wt% or less, 4 wt% or less, 3 wt% or less, 2 wt% or less, or 1 wt% or less. A lower limit of the content of water may be, for example, 0 wt% or more, 0.1 wt% or more, 0.5 wt% or more, or 1 wt% or more.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first lyocell multifilament may be a first lyocell multifilament that is a crimped and / or a first lyocell multifilament that is crimped and treated with an emulsion.

[0124] In some embodiments, the second lyocell multifilament may be a second lyocell multifilament that is a crimped and / or a second lyocell multifilament that is crimped and treated with an emulsion.[Method of preparing lyocell material]

[0125] The present application relates to a method of preparing a lyocell material. Through the method, a lyocell material may be prepared and used in a smoking article.

[0126] Specifically, the method of preparing a lyocell material may include: a lyocell dope spinning operation; coagulation and multifilament obtaining operations; a washing operation; an emulsion treatment operation; and a crimp providing operation. In addition, the method of preparing a lyocell material may further include: a binder treatment operation; and other operations.

[0127] The emulsion treatment operation may be performed before the crimp providing operation, after the crimp providing operation, or before and after the crimp providing operation.

[0128] Emulsion treatments may each independently be performed, for example, by spraying an emulsion with the above-described composition onto a lyocell multifilament or immersing the lyocell multifilament in the emulsion. As described above, the emulsion treatment may be performed such that a content of an emulsion (for example, OPU (wt%)) in a lyocell material satisfies a certain range.

[0129] The crimp providing operation may be performed, for example, by applying steam and / or pressure to the lyocell multifilament.

[0130] The method of preparing a lyocell material according to a specific embodiment of the present application, including the emulsion treatment operation and the crimp providing operation, will be described in more detail below. The method of the present application may be performed by including one or more of operations described below.<Lyocell dope spinning operation (a)>

[0131] A corresponding operation may be an operation of spinning a lyocell dope (or a dope) including lyocell cellulose (or cellulose pulp) and N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO).

[0132] In addition, the lyocell dope spinning operation may include spinning a first lyocell multifilament and spinning a second lyocell multifilament. Matters related to a first monofilament of the first lyocell multifilament and a second monofilament of the second lyocell multifilament are as described above.

[0133] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament may be sequentially or simultaneously performed.

[0134] Commercialized cellulose acetate filters are pointed out as the major cause of microplastics. However, since an amine oxide-based solvent used in preparing lyocell fibers is recyclable and biodegradable even when disposed of, lyocell materials do not generate any pollutants during a production process thereof. Furthermore, since lyocell tow is biodegraded and removed within a relatively short period of time, a lyocell is a more environmentally friendly material than cellulose acetate.

[0135] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be spun by using the same lyocell dope. As a result, the chemical properties of the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be identical or extremely identical.

[0136] In addition, the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be spun by using different lyocell dopes. As a result, the physical properties of the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be different, and the physical properties of the lyocell material may be finely adjusted.

[0137] In an example, a content of cellulose in a spinning dope may be in a range of 5 wt% to 15 wt% with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the dope. When the content of cellulose is too low, it is difficult to implement the characteristics of a lyocell fiber, and when the content exceeds the above range, it is difficult to dissolve cellulose in a solvent. In consideration of this, the content of cellulose in the spinning dope may be 6 wt% or more, 7 wt% or more, 8 wt% or more, 9 wt% or more, or 10 wt% or more, and an upper limit thereof may be, for example, 14 wt% or less, 13 wt% or less, 12 wt% or less, 11 wt% or less, 10 wt% or less, or 9 wt% or less. The term "cellulose" may refer to "lyocell cellulose."

[0138] In an example, the spinning dope may include an aqueous solution of NMMO. The aqueous solution may include, for example, NMMO in a content of 80 to 95 parts by weight and water in a content of 5 to 20 parts by weight in consideration of a degree of dissolution of cellulose and a process temperature.

[0139] In an example, the cellulose or cellulose pulp may include alpha-cellulose in a content of 85 to 97 wt% with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the cellulose.

[0140] In addition, in a specific example of the present application, the DPw of the cellulose may be in a range of 600 to 1,700. In some embodiments, the degree of polymerization refers to the number of repeating units of the cellulose and / or hemicellulose and / or monomers in the cellulose pulp.

[0141] In the spinning operation, a shape of a spinneret for discharging the spinning dope is not particularly limited. For example, a donut-shaped spinneret may be used.

[0142] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament may be performed through the same spinneret or different spinnerets.

[0143] In addition, when the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament are simultaneously performed through the same spinning device, the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament may be simultaneously performed. As a result, conditions for coagulating and obtaining the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be applied identically, and a change in lyocell multifilament according to a coagulation and obtaining operation may be controlled at the same level.

[0144] A nozzle temperature of the spinneret, for example, a spinning temperature thereof, may be appropriately selected by a person skilled in the art. Considering that the viscosity of the spinning dope may vary according to the spinning temperature, and thus discharging may not be performed well, the spinning temperature may be, for example, in a range of 100 °C to 120 °C or 100 °C to 110 °C.

[0145] In an example, spinning of the spinning dope may be performed under spinning conditions controlled such that a single fineness single of a filament may be in a range of 1.5 denier to 8.0 denier. For example, one or more spinning conditions of a discharge amount and a spinning speed of the spinning dope may be appropriately controlled so that a single fineness of a filament included in the lyocell material may satisfy a range of 1.5 to 8.0 denier. In this case, a single fineness of a filament may refer to a fineness of a single monofilament separated from a multifilament.

[0146] Specifically, the single fineness of the filament may be, for example, 7.5 denier or less, 7.0 denier or less, 6.5 denier or less, 6.0 denier or less, 5.5 denier or less, 5.0 denier or less, 4.5 denier or less, 3.5 denier or less, 3.0 denier or less, 2.5 denier or less, or 2.0 denier or less. A lower limit of the single fineness of the filament may be, for example, 2.0 denier or more, 2.5 denier or more, 3.0 denier or more, 3.5 denier or more, 4.0 denier or more, 4.5 denier or more, 5.0 denier or more, 5.5 denier or more, 6.0 denier or more, 6.5 denier or more, or 7.0 denier or more. Satisfying the above range may be more advantageous in implementing stable Suction resistance and securing processability of a filter for a smoking article.

[0147] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament may be performed through the same spinneret, and a cross section of a discharge port through which the first lyocell multifilament is discharged may be different from a cross section of a discharge port through which the second lyocell multifilament is discharged.

[0148] For example, the cross section of the discharge port through which the first lyocell multifilament is discharged may be a circular cross section, and the cross section of the discharge port through which the second lyocell multifilament is discharged may be a multi-lobal cross section.

[0149] The spinning dope discharged through the spinneret may undergo the coagulation operation which will be described below.<Coagulation and multifilament obtaining operations (b)>

[0150] In a corresponding operation, the spun spinning dope may be coagulated, and a lyocell multifilament may be obtained.

[0151] For the coagulation, a method in which the spinning dope comes into contact with air and / or a coagulating solution may be used.

[0152] In an example, the coagulation may include a primary coagulation operation of supplying cooling air to a spun lyocell dope, and a secondary coagulation operation of adding a primarily coagulated spinning dope to a coagulating solution to coagulate the spinning dope.

[0153] According to such a coagulation method, the lyocell dope discharged through the spinneret may be primarily coagulated in a space (air gap section) between the spinneret and a coagulation tank. For example, cooling air may be supplied to the air gap section from an air cooling part positioned inside the spinneret in a direction from the inside to the outside of the spinneret. In addition, primary coagulation may be achieved through a known so-called air quenching method or means in the related field.

[0154] In an example, an upper limit of a temperature of the cooling air used for primary coagulation may be, for example, 15 °C or less. Specifically, the cooling air may be air with a temperature of 14 °C or less, 13 °C or less, 12 °C or less, 11 °C or less, or 10 °C or less. When the above temperature is exceeded, the coagulation of the spinning dope by air may not be sufficient, and spinning-related processability may not be good.

[0155] A lower limit of the temperature of the cooling air may be determined in consideration of spinning processability and / or cross-sectional uniformity of a filament. For example, when the temperature of the cooling air is less than 4 °C, a surface of the spinneret may cool, a surface of the filament may become non-uniform, and spinning processability may also deteriorate. In consideration of this, the cooling air may have a temperature of 5 °C or more, 6 °C or more, 7 °C or more, 8 °C or more, or 9 °C or more.

[0156] A degree by which the cooling air is supplied may be controlled in consideration of sufficient coagulation, spinning processability, and an influence on the physical properties of a filament. For example, the cooling air may be supplied to the discharged spinning dope at an air flow rate of 70 to 400 Nm 3< / h. More specifically, the air flow rate may be 100 Nm 3< / h or more, 150 Nm 3< / h or more, 200 Nm 3< / h or more, or 250 Nm 3< / h or more, and an upper limit thereof may be, for example, 350 Nm 3< / h or less, 300 Nm 3< / h or less, 250 Nm 3< / h or less, 200 Nm 3< / h or less, or 150 Nm 3< / h or less.

[0157] After the primary coagulation as described above, the cooled spinning dope may be supplied to a coagulation tank or bath containing a coagulating solution (secondary coagulation). For proper coagulation, a temperature of the coagulating solution may be, for example, 30 °C or less or 25 °C or less. The temperature of the coagulating solution may be 10 °C or more, 15 °C or more, or 20 °C or more. When the above temperature is maintained, a coagulation speed may be appropriately maintained.

[0158] A type of a coagulating solution for the secondary coagulation as described above is not particularly limited. For example, the coagulating solution may include at least one selected from water and NMMO.

[0159] Although not particularly limited, when the coagulating solution includes water and NMMO, with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the coagulating solution, a content of water in the coagulating solution may be in a range of 60 to 90 wt%, and a content of NMMO may be in a range of 10 to 40 wt%. Alternatively, the coagulating solution may include water in a content of 70 to 80 wt% and NMMO in a content of 20 to 30 wt% with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the coagulating solution. By using sensors or the like, a concentration of the coagulating solution may be controlled to be maintained during a preparation process.

[0160] In an exemplary method of preparing a lyocell material, the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament may be sequentially performed, and the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament may be coagulated and obtained in the same coagulation tank.<Washing operation (c)>

[0161] If necessary, each lyocell multifilament may be washed after the above-described coagulation and multifilament obtaining operations. Due to the washing, NMMO and / or other impurities remaining in the filament may be removed.

[0162] A method of performing washing is not particularly limited. For example, washing may be performed by introducing each coagulated lyocell multifilament into a washing tank by using a traction roller. Alternatively, the washing may be performed by spraying a washing solution while moving to a subsequent operation by a traction roller.

[0163] Components of the washing solution are not particularly limited. For example, the washing solution may include water and may further include known other additives.

[0164] In addition, in consideration of reuse after washing, the washing solution may be used by adjusting a temperature thereof to 100 °C or less.<Emulsion treatment operation (d)>

[0165] If required, an operation of treating each lyocell multifilament with an emulsion may be performed. The operation may be an operation of applying an emulsion with the above-described components onto a surface of the filament. Friction applied to the filament may be reduced through emulsion treatment, and a crimp may be formed well in the crimp providing operation which will be described below. When the emulsion treatment is performed twice or more as described below, the emulsion treatment may be referred to as primary emulsion treatment and secondary emulsion treatment according to the order.

[0166] Although not particularly limited, the emulsion treatment may be performed by immersing each lyocell multifilament in a bath filled with an emulsion such that each lyocell multifilament is completely immersed in the emulsion. Alternatively, the emulsion treatment may be performed by spraying the emulsion while moving to a subsequent operation by a traction roller.

[0167] In order to ensure that an amount of the emulsion applied onto each lyocell multifilament is constant after the emulsion treatment as described above, a process in which rolls or the like positioned before and / or after the emulsion treatment operation squeeze out an emulsion of a surface of the lyocell multifilament may be additionally performed.

[0168] In an example, the emulsion treatment may be performed such that a content (OPU (w%)) of the emulsion satisfies 1.0 wt % or more with respect to 100 wt% of the first lyocell multifilament and the second multifilament which are at least treated with an emulsion. In this case, the first lyocell multifilament and the second multifilament which are at least treated with an emulsion may each be, for example, a lyocell multifilament to which primary emulsion treatment is applied, a lyocell multifilament to which primary emulsion treatment and secondary emulsion treatment (see description below) are applied, or a lyocell multifilament which is treated with the above-described emulsion and also treated with a binder described to be described below. In addition, the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament, which are treated with an emulsion and / or a binder described above, may be crimped.

[0169] Specifically, a content of the emulsion in the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament which are at least treated with an emulsion may be 0.5 wt% or more, 1.0 wt% or more, 1.5 wt% or more, 2.0 wt% or more, 2.5 wt% or more, or 3.0 wt% or more, or specifically 3.5 wt% or more, 4.0 wt% or more, 4.2 wt% or more, 4.5 wt% or more, 5.0 wt% or more, 5.5 wt% or more, 6.0 wt% or more, 6.5 wt% or more, 7.0 wt% or more, 7.5 wt% or more, 8.0 wt% or more, 8.5 wt% or more, 9.0 wt% or more, or 9.5 wt% or more with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament which are treated with an emulsion. An upper limit of the content of the emulsion may be, for example, 20.0 wt% or less, 18.0 wt% or less, 17.0 wt% or less, 16.0 wt% or less, 15.0 wt% or less, 14.5 wt% or less, 14.0 wt% or less, 13.5 wt% or less, 13.0 wt% or less, 12.5 wt% or less, 12.0 wt% or less, 11.5 wt% or less, 11.0 wt% or less, 10.5 wt% or less, 10 wt% or less, 9.5 wt% or less, 9.0 wt% or less, 8.5 wt% or less, 8.0 wt% or less, 7.8 wt%, or 7.6 wt% or less. In this case, the above content may refer to a dry weight after a solvent (for example, water) or liquid component that may be included in the emulsion has evaporated.

[0170] When the emulsion with the above-described composition is treated within the above range of the content, the hydrophilic properties of a lyocell material may be supplemented.

[0171] In some cases, the emulsion may be dried after the emulsion treatment as described above.

[0172] In a specific example of the present application, one or more of the above-described operations may be controlled such that a single fineness of a filament constituting a lyocell multifilament may be in a range of 1.5 to 8.0 denier. The single fineness of the filament may refer to a fineness of a single monofilament separated from a multifilament.

[0173] Specifically, the single fineness of the filament may be, for example, 7.5 denier or less, 7.0 denier or less, 6.5 denier or less, 6.0 denier or less, 5.5 denier or less, 5.0 denier or less, 4.5 denier or less, 3.5 denier or less, 3.0 denier or less, 2.5 denier or less, or 2.0 denier or less. A lower limit of the single fineness of the filament may be, for example, 2.0 denier or more, 2.5 denier or more, 3.0 denier or more, 3.5 denier or more, 4.0 denier or more, 4.5 denier or more, 5.0 denier or more, 5.5 denier or more, 6.0 denier or more, 6.5 denier or more, or 7.0 denier or more. Satisfying the above range may be more advantageous in implementing stable suction resistance and securing processability of a filter for a smoking article.

[0174] Although not particularly limited, an operation controlled to secure the above range of the single fineness may be the above-described spinning operation. Alternatively, the above-described spinning, coagulation, washing, and emulsion treatment operations may all be controlled to secure the above ranges of the single fineness.<Crimp providing operation (e)>

[0175] The crimp providing operation may be an operation of applying pressure to the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament, which are treated with the emulsion, through steam and / or a press roller to obtain a crimped multifilament, for example, crimped tow. The crimp providing operation may be referred to as a crimping operation. As used herein, the terms "treated with emulsion" and "emulsified" may be used interchangeably.

[0176] Through crimping, waves may be provided to each lyocell multifilament, and fibers may have bulky characteristics. The crimping may be performed by using known crimp machines, such as a stuffer box and / or a steam box, and available crimp machines are not particularly limited as long as the crimp machines are devices capable of applying one or more of pressures which will be described below.

[0177] In an example, the crimp providing operation may be performed by first supplying steam to each lyocell multifilament to preheat and swell each lyocell multifilament, and then pressing each lyocell multifilament with a press roller to form wrinkles in the lyocell multifilament. In this case, a steam box may be used to supply steam, and the steam box may be positioned in front of the crimp machine.

[0178] In an example, the crimp providing operation may be performed in such a manner that pressing of the lyocell multifilament by the press roller and applying of steam are simultaneously performed.

[0179] In an example, the crimp providing operation may be performed in such a manner that steam is supplied to each lyocell multifilament to preheat and swell each lyocell multifilament, and then applying of pressure with the press roller and applying of steam are simultaneously performed on each lyocell multifilament.

[0180] In an example, the crimp providing operation may be performed by applying steam with a pressure of 0.1 kgf / cm 2< to 2.0 kgf / cm 2< to each lyocell multifilament before the lyocell multifilament is put into the crimp machine (specifically, the press roller).

[0181] For example, steam with a pressure of 0.2 kgf / cm 2< or more, 0.3 kgf / cm 2< or more, 0.4 kgf / cm 2< or more, 0.5 kgf / cm 2< or more, or 0.6 kgf / cm 2< or more may be supplied by a steam box. In addition, steam with a pressure of 1.5 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.4 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.3 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.2 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.1 kgf / cm 2< or less, or 1.0 kgf / cm 2< or less may be supplied. When the amount or pressure of supplied steam is less than the above range, a crimp may not be formed smoothly. When the above range is exceeded, since the flexibility of the filament is increased, excessive crimp may be provided to the filament in the crimp machine, and thus the filament may not pass through the crimp machine.

[0182] In an example, the crimp providing operation may be performed by pressing each lyocell multifilament with a press roller to form wrinkles in each lyocell multifilament. In addition, steam may not be supplied prior to pressing, steam may not be supplied simultaneously with pressing, or steam may not be supplied prior to pressing and simultaneously with pressing.

[0183] In an example, the crimp providing operation may be performed by each independently applying pressures of 1.5 to 4.0 kgf / cm 2< to each lyocell multifilament put into the crimp machine by using a press roller.

[0184] For example, a pressure of 1.6 kgf / cm 2< or more, 1.7 kgf / cm 2< or more, 1.8 kgf / cm 2< or more, 1.9 kgf / cm 2< or more, 2.0 kgf / cm 2< or more, 2.1 kgf / cm 2< or more, 2.2 kgf / cm 2< or more, 2.3 kgf / cm 2< or more, 2.4 kgf / cm 2< or more, or 2.5 kgf / cm 2< or more may be applied to the lyocell multifilament through the press roller. In addition, a pressure of 3.9 kgf / cm 2< or less, 3.8 kgf / cm 2< or less, 3.7 kgf / cm 2< or less, 3.6 kgf / cm 2< or less, 3.5 kgf / cm 2< or less, 3.4 kgf / cm 2< or less, 3.3 kgf / cm 2< or less, 3.2 kgf / cm 2< or less, 3.1 kgf / cm 2< or less, 3.0 kgf / cm 2< or less, 2.9 kgf / cm 2< or less, 2.8 kgf / cm 2< or less, 2.7 kgf / cm 2< or less, 2.6 kgf / cm 2< or less, or 2.5 kgf / cm 2< or less may be applied through the press roller.

[0185] When the pressure of the press roller is less than the above range, the desired number of crimps may not be formed sufficiently. When the pressure of the press roller exceeds the above range, a pressing force may be too strong, and thus the filament may not be smoothly put into the crimp machine or may not pass through the stuffer box. Wrinkles may be formed in the lyocell multifilament by the press roller that provides the pressure.

[0186] In an example, by using an upper plate, pressures of 0.1 to 2 kgf / cm 2< may each independently be applied to each lyocell multifilament. In addition, the upper plate may apply pressure to each lyocell multifilament when each lyocell multifilament has passed through the press roller or while each lyocell multifilament is passing through the press roller.

[0187] For example, the pressure applied by the upper plate may be 0.2 kgf / cm 2< or more, 0.3 kgf / cm 2< or more, 0.4 kgf / cm 2< or more, or 0.5 kgf / cm 2< or more. In addition, a pressure of 1.5 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.4 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.3 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.2 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.1 kgf / cm 2< or less, or 1.0 kgf / cm 2< or less may be applied through the upper plate.

[0188] Furthermore, when the pressure of the upper plate, which vertically moves to provide uniform crimp after each lyocell multifilament passes through the press roller, is less than 0.1 kgf / cm 2< , since the upper plate may not be fixed due to a pressure inside the stuffer box, while tow remains inside the stopper box for a long time, the continuity of a process may not be maintained. When the pressure of the upper plate exceeds 2 kgf / cm 2< , since steam inside the stuffer box may not be smoothly discharged, a shape of a crimp may be irregular.

[0189] In an example, in the crimp providing operation, a doctor blade that applies a certain pressure to each lyocell multifilament may be applied. The doctor blade may control a residence time of a filament put into a crimper stuffer box, thereby contributing to the control of the number of crimps. The doctor blade may be positioned, for example, on a movement path of each lyocell multifilament that is pressed by the above-described roller and then discharged from a roller pressing point.

[0190] In an example, the crimp providing operation may be performed by each independently applying pressures of 0.1 to 2.0 kgf / cm 2< to each lyocell multifilament, which has passed between the rollers of the crimp machine, by using the doctor blade.

[0191] For example, the pressure applied by the doctor blade may be 0.2 kgf / cm 2< or more, 0.3 kgf / cm 2< or more, 0.4 kgf / cm 2< or more, or 0.5 kgf / cm 2< or more. In addition, a pressure of 1.5 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.4 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.3 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.2 kgf / cm 2< or less, 1.1 kgf / cm 2< or less, or 1.0 kgf / cm 2< or less may be applied by the doctor blade.

[0192] In an example, the crimp providing operation may be performed at a temperature ranging from 120 to 250 °C. When the temperature is too low, the effect of stabilizing the shape of the crimp may not be good, and when the temperature is too high, a concentration of fat and oil inside the stuffer box may be increased, which may make it difficult to form the crimp. Therefore, in consideration of the above-described pressure of the steam or the like, a temperature may be appropriately controlled in a range of 130 °C or more, 140 °C or more, or 150°C or higher, and 200 °C or less, 180 °C or less, or 160 °C or less.<Binder treatment operation (f)>

[0193] In an example, the method may further include treating the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament treated with the emulsion or the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament obtained through the crimp providing operation with a binder.

[0194] When a filter for a smoking article is prepared by using a lyocell material (for example, lyocell tow), a binder may be additionally used. The binder may increase the hardness of a filter for a smoking article including a lyocell material, thereby preventing problems such as filter jamming during a process of preparing a filter or a process of preparing a tobacco.

[0195] A method of coating a lyocell material with a binder is not particularly limited. For example, emulsion treatment may be performed by immersing the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament in a bath filled with a binder (or a binder solution) such that the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament are completely immersed in the binder. Alternatively, binder coating may be performed by spraying (or injecting) the binder (or binder solution) through a nozzle.

[0196] Types and components of available binders are as described above, and thus descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0197] In an example, the binder (or the binder solution) may further include a solvent in addition to the components described above. Examples of the solvent may include water, ethanol, propylene glycol, and / or glycerin, but one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. When the binder (or the binder solution) includes a solvent, a content of the solvent may be, for example, in a range of about 20 to 80 wt% or 40 to 60 wt% with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the binder (or the binder solution).

[0198] Such binder treatment may be performed at a level that may achieve the purpose of the above-described binder treatment. For example, the binder treatment may be performed such that a content of the binder satisfies 20 wt% or less, for example, a range of 8 to 15 wt%, with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the first lyocell multifilament and the second multifilament treated with the emulsion and the binder. In this case, the above content may refer to a dry weight after a solvent or liquid component that may be included in the binder has evaporated.

[0199] After the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament are coated with the binder, the binder may be dried. A drying temperature is not particularly limited, but, for example, drying may be performed at room temperature (about 10 °C to 35 °C).<Other operations (g)>

[0200] After the crimp providing operation, additional appropriate post-treatment may be performed.

[0201] In an example, secondary emulsion treatment (g1) may be additionally performed. Through the secondary emulsion treatment, more flexibility may be provided to tow. The secondary emulsion treatment may be performed in the same manner as or in accordance with the emulsion treatment operation (d) described above.

[0202] Specifically, the secondary emulsion treatment may be performed by treating a lyocell material (for example, lyocell tow), which has undergone a process using a crimper, with an emulsion. The secondary emulsion treatment may function advantageously in various processes performed during a preparation of a filter for a smoking article. For example, the secondary emulsion treatment may allow fibers and filters to spread well even in air during a spreading process and also may restrict fibers from being cut during a stretching process.

[0203] The secondary emulsion treatment as described above may be performed before or after the binder treatment. Alternatively, the secondary emulsion treatment may be performed irrespective of whether binder treatment is performed.

[0204] Even in a case in which the secondary emulsion treatment as described above is performed, a secondary emulsion treatment process may be performed such that a content or an OPU content of an emulsion in a material satisfies the range described above.

[0205] In an example, drying treatment (g2) may be additionally performed. Drying may be performed, for example, at a temperature in a range of 100 °C to 130 °C. A drying treatment manner or method is not particularly limited, and known technologies may be used. For example, the drying may be performed by applying hot air to tow, allowing the tow to pass through a temperature-controlled room, or leaving the tow for a certain period of time.

[0206] In an aspect, the disclosure may provide a lyocell material obtained through the method of preparing a lyocell material as described above.

[0207] In an aspect, the disclosure may provide a lyocell material obtainable through the method of preparing a lyocell material as described above.[Smoking article]

[0208] Although not particularly limited, a lyocell material prepared through the method may be included in a smoking article or the like. The smoking article may be an aerosol-generating article. The aerosol-generating article may include an aerosol-generating material or an aerosol-forming substrate.

[0209] For example, the lyocell material may be included in a combustion-type cigarette. As another example, the lyocell material may be included in a heated cigarette, and the heated cigarette may be used together with an aerosol generating device (not shown).

[0210] For example, when used as a heated smoking article, the smoking article may be separately inserted into an aerosol generating device. Here, the aerosol generating device may include an accommodation groove in which an aerosol-generating article may be accommodated, and in addition, may include a heater for heating the aerosol-generating article to generate aerosol, a control unit for controlling the overall operation of the aerosol generating device, a battery for providing power used for operating the aerosol generating device, and a detector for recognizing that the aerosol-generating article has been inserted into the aerosol generating device.

[0211] The smoking article may include a tobacco medium portion, a filter for a smoking article, and a wrapper, wherein the filter for a smoking article may be positioned at one end portion of the tobacco medium portion, for example, a rear end portion or a front end portion. The tobacco medium portion and the filter for a smoking article may each include a single segment or may each independently include a plurality of segments.

[0212] The tobacco medium portion may include a tobacco material, and the tobacco material may include nicotine. In addition, the tobacco medium may additionally include one or more excipients.

[0213] The excipients may include a binder, a filler, and other additives. For example, the tobacco medium included in the tobacco medium portion may be prepared in the form of granules including a tobacco material, an excipient, and the like.

[0214] For example, a filler may be additionally included to constantly maintain the shape, strength, and mass of the tobacco medium portion. For example, the lyocell material may be included in the tobacco medium portion. In addition, the lyocell material may be used as a filler.

[0215] The wrapper may be subdivided into cigarette paper for wrapping the tobacco medium portion, filter wrapping paper for wrapping the filter, and a tipping wrapper for coupling the tobacco medium portion and the filter.[Filter for smoking article]

[0216] A lyocell material may be used in a filter for a smoking article. The lyocell material may be lyocell tow. In an example, the lyocell tow may include a first lyocell multifilament that is crimped and a second lyocell multifilament that is crimped.

[0217] For example, the present application relates to a filter for a smoking article. The filter for a smoking article may include a lyocell material, and the lyocell material may be identical to that described above. For example, the lyocell material may be lyocell tow. In addition, the filter for a smoking article may include lyocell tow, and the lyocell tow may be identical to that described above.

[0218] In addition, the lyocell material may include an emulsion in a content of 0.1 wt% or more with respect to 100 wt% of the total weight of the lyocell material. In addition, an emulsion component and a content according to the specific example of the present application are as described above.

[0219] In an example, a single fineness of a filament constituting the lyocell multifilament may be in a range of 1.5 to 8.0 denier. In addition, a single fineness of a first monofilament may be equal to a single fineness of a second monofilament. A specific numerical value is as described above.

[0220] In an example, the total fineness of the lyocell material may be in a range of 15,000 to 55,000 denier and may be, for example, lyocell tow. A specific numerical value is as described above.

[0221] In an example, the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament which are crimped may each independently have 10 to 50 crimps per inch. A specific numerical value is as described above.

[0222] In an example, the filter for a smoking article may further include a binder on a surface of the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament which are crimped or between the first lyocell multifilament and / or the second lyocell multifilament which are crimped. The binder may increase the hardness of a filter for a smoking article prepared by using a lyocell material, thereby preventing problems such as filter jamming during a process of preparing a filter or a process of preparing a tobacco. Types, components, and contents of available binders are as described above.

[0223] In an example, the filter for a smoking article may further include wrapping paper (which may be referred to as wrapper paper, filter paper, or filter wrapping paper). For example, the wrapping paper may be porous paper or non-porous paper that may wrap the above-described lyocell tow and may maintain a filter shape (for example, a cylinder or circular column).

[0224] In a specific embodiment of the present application, the filter for a smoking article may have a certain shape and a certain size.

[0225] For example, the filter may have a rod shape. More specifically, the filter for a smoking article may have a shape such as a cylinder.

[0226] In addition, the filter may have a length of, for example, 10 to 50 mm. Specifically, the length of the filter may have a lower limit of 15 mm or more, 20 mm or more, 25 mm or more, 30 mm or more, 35 mm or more, 40 mm or more, or 45 mm or more and an upper limit of 45 mm or less, 40 mm or less, 35 mm or less, 30 mm or less, 25 mm or less, 20 mm or less, or 15 mm or less.

[0227] In a specific example of the present application, the filter having the length may have a circular cross section, and a circumference of the circular cross section may be in a range of 10 to 40 mm. For example, the circumference of the filter may have a lower limit of 15 mm or more, 20 mm or more, 25 mm or more, 30 mm or more, or 35 mm or more, and an upper limit of 35 mm or less, 30 mm or less, 25 mm or less, 20 mm or less, or 15 mm or less.

[0228] In an example, the filter for a smoking article may include lyocell tow and filter wrapping paper. The lyocell tow and the filter wrapping paper are as described above, and thus descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0229] The wrapping paper may be porous paper or non-porous paper that may wrap the above-described lyocell tow and may maintain a filter shape (for example, a cylinder or circular column).

[0230] In an example, when porous wrapping paper is used, the wrapping paper may have a porosity of 10 to 50,000 coresta unit (CU). A coresta unit may be defined as a volume flow rate (cm 3< min -1< ) of air passing through a 1 cm 2< substrate sample (that is, porous wrapping paper) at a pressure difference of 1 kPa. Specifically, a lower limit of the porosity of the wrapping paper may be, for example, 1,000 CU or more, 5,000 CU or more, 10,000 CU or more, 15,000 CU or more, 20,.000 CU or more, 25,000 CU or more, 30,000 CU or more, 35,000 CU or more, 40,000 CU or more, or 45,000 CU or more, and an upper limit thereof may be, for example, 45,000 CU or less, 40,000 CU or less, 35,000 CU or less, 30,000 CU or less, 25,000 CU or less, or 20,000 CU or less. In a specific example of the present application, the wrapping paper may have a porosity in a range of 22,000 to 26,000 CU or 23,000 to 25,000 CU.

[0231] In an example, a basis weight of the wrapping paper may be in a range of 15 to 60 g / cm 2< . Specifically, a lower limit of the basis weight of the wrapping paper may be, for example, 20 g / cm 2< or more, 25 g / cm 2< or more, 30 g / cm 2< or more, 35 g / cm 2< or more, 40 g / cm 2< or more, 45 g / cm 2< or more, 50 g / cm 2< or more, or 55 g / cm 2< or more, and an upper limit thereof may be, for example, 55 g / cm 2< or less, 50 g / cm 2< or less, 45 g / cm 2< or less, 40 g / cm 2< or less, 35 g / cm 2< or less, 30 g / cm 2< or less, 25 g / cm 2< or less, or 20 g / cm 2< or less. In a specific example of the present application, the wrapping paper may have a basis weight of 16 g / cm 2< or more, 17 g / cm 2< or more, 18 g / cm 2< or more, 19 g / cm 2< or more, 20 g / cm 2< or more, or 21 g / cm 2< or more, and 25 g / cm 2< or less, 24 g / cm 2< or less, 23 g / cm 2< or less, 22 g / cm 2< or less, or 21 g / cm 2< or less.

[0232] Although not particularly limited, a weight of a filter having a rod shape may be 50 mg or more. Specifically, the weight of the filter may have, for example, a lower limit of 100 mg or more, 150 mg or more, or 200 mg or more, and an upper limit of 500 mg or less, 450 mg or less, 400 mg or less, 350 mg or less, 300 mg or less, 250 mg or less, or 200 mg or less.

[0233] Other filters for a smoking article and materials included therein are as described above, and thus descriptions thereof are omitted.[Method of preparing filter for smoking article]

[0234] For example, the present application relates to a method of preparing a filter for a smoking article. The method may be a method of preparing a filter for a lyocell smoking article as described above and may be a method including the above-described method of preparing a lyocell material.

[0235] Regarding the method of preparing a filter for a smoking article, the remaining processes excluding the preparing of the filter are the same as processes described in the lyocell material described above, and thus descriptions thereof are omitted. In addition, descriptions overlapping the above descriptions are also omitted.

[0236] The preparing of the filter may be appropriately performed by a person skilled in the art according to a known method. For example, the filter may be prepared by forming wrapping paper filled with a lyocell material into a rod shape. Alternatively, the filter may be prepared by cutting filter paper filled with a lyocell material with a rod shape into an appropriate length. The wrapping paper is as described above.

[0237] Although not particularly limited, before the filter paper is filled with the lyocell material, the lyocell material may be further subjected to opening or plasticizer treatment. A surface area of the lyocell material may be increased by opening the lyocell material. For example, the lyocell material may be opened by applying an external force in a length direction, a width direction, and / or a thickness direction.

[0238] For example, the lyocell material used in preparing a filter for a smoking article may be lyocell tow.

[0239] Although not particularly limited, the filter for a smoking article may additionally include known cellulose acetate multifilaments at a level that does not impede the purpose of the disclosure. The cellulose acetate multifilament may be mixed with a lyocell multifilament. The cellulose acetate multifilament may be included in a segment distinguished from a segment including the lyocell multifilament.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0240] According to the present application, there may be provided a lyocell material for a smoking article filter, which is capable of replacing commercialized cellulose acetate (CA), and a filter for a smoking article including the same. Specifically, there may be provided a lyocell material which may uniformly have the properties by a first monofilament having a first cross section and the properties by a second monofilament having a second cross section.Mode for the Invention

[0241] Hereinafter, the operations and effects of the disclosure will be described in more detail through specific examples of the disclosure. However, this is presented as an example of the disclosure, and the scope of the disclosure is not limited thereby.

[0242] A lyocell material was prepared through processes as described in Preparation Example below. Conditions not specifically described are within the scope of the above description.[Preparation Example]

[0243] Cellulose pulp having an alpha-cellulose content of 93.9 % and a degree of polymerization (DPw) of 820 was mixed with an NMMO / H 2 O solvent having a propyl gallate content of 0.01 wt% to prepare a spinning dope having a concentration of 11 wt%. Then, while a spinning temperature of a spinneret was maintained at 110 °C, a discharge amount and a spinning speed were appropriately adjusted, and the spinning dope was spun.

[0244] The spinning dope on a filament discharged from the spinneret was supplied to a coagulating solution (a coagulating solution having a concentration of 75 wt% water and 25 wt% NMMO and a temperature of about 25 °C) in a coagulating tank through an air gap section. In this case, cooling air in the air gap section primarily solidifies the spinning dope at a temperature of 8 °C and an air flow rate of 200 Nm 3< / h. In addition, the concentration of the coagulating solution was continuously monitored by using a sensor and a refractometer.

[0245] A coagulated lyocell filament was washed. Specifically, the filament was introduced into a traction roller, and NMMO remaining in the filament was removed by using a washing solution sprayed from a washing device. Then, the washed filament was immersed inside a bath designed to have a prescribed emulsion concentration.

[0246] The filament was treated at a pressure of 2 kgf / cm 2< by using a nip roll installed in a bath discharge portion and put into a crimp machine to provide wrinkles. Lyocell tow was prepared by setting a pressure of a press roller to 2.5 kgf / cm 2< and a pressure of a doctor blade to 0.5 kgf / cm 2< .

[0247] A single fineness of the prepared tow was in a range of 1.5 to 4.5 denier, the total fineness thereof was in a range of 30,000 to 50,000 denier, and the number of crimps was in a range of 15 ea / inch to 50 ea / inch.Example 1

[0248] Lyocell tow was prepared according to Preparation Example, and a spinneret included each of a first discharge port with a circular cross section, through which a first lyocell multifilament was discharged, and a second discharge port with a multi-lobal cross section, through which a second lyocell multifilament was discharged.

[0249] In addition, the number of first and second discharge ports was appropriately adjusted such that a weight ratio between the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament included in the lyocell tow was 95 to 5.Example 2

[0250] Lyocell tow was prepared according to Preparation Example, and a spinneret included each of a first discharge port with a circular cross section, through which a first lyocell multifilament was discharged, and a second discharge port with a multi-lobal cross section, through which a second lyocell multifilament was discharged.

[0251] In addition, the number of first and second discharge ports was appropriately adjusted such that a weight ratio between the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament included in the lyocell tow was 75 to 25.Example 3

[0252] Lyocell tow was prepared according to Preparation Example, and a spinneret included each of a first discharge port with a circular cross section, through which a first lyocell multifilament was discharged, and a second discharge port with a multi-lobal cross section, through which a second lyocell multifilament was discharged.

[0253] In addition, the number of first and second discharge ports was appropriately adjusted such that a weight ratio between the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament included in the lyocell tow was 50 to 50.Example 4

[0254] Lyocell tow was prepared according to Preparation Example, and a spinneret included each of a first discharge port with a circular cross section, through which a first lyocell multifilament was discharged, and a second discharge port with a multi-lobal cross section, through which a second lyocell multifilament was discharged.

[0255] In addition, the number of first and second discharge ports was appropriately adjusted such that a weight ratio between the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament included in the lyocell tow was 25 to 75.Example 5

[0256] Lyocell tow was prepared according to Preparation Example, and a spinneret included each of a first discharge port with a circular cross section, through which a first lyocell multifilament was discharged, and a second discharge port with a multi-lobal cross section, through which a second lyocell multifilament was discharged.

[0257] In addition, the number of first and second discharge ports was appropriately adjusted such that a weight ratio between the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament included in the lyocell tow was 5 to 95.Comparative Example 1

[0258] Lyocell tow was prepared according to Preparation Example, and a spinneret included only a first discharge port through which a first lyocell multifilament was discharged. A cross section of the first discharge port was a circular cross section.Comparative Example 2

[0259] Lyocell tow was prepared according to Preparation Example, and a spinneret included only a second discharge port through which a second lyocell multifilament was discharged. A cross section of the second discharge port was a multi-lobal cross section.Comparative Example 3

[0260] A sample of Comparative Example 3 was prepared from cellulose acetate tow of Celanese, which was sold for cigarette filters.

[0261] A space occupancy ratio of a monofilament included in each of the first lyocell multifilaments obtained in Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Example 1 was about 100 %. In addition, a space occupancy ratio of a monofilament included in each of the second lyocell multifilaments obtained in Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Example 2 was about 130 %.<Experiment 1: Suction resistance evaluation>

[0262] For the lyocell tows of Examples 1 to 5, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2, a required weight (relative ratio) of the lyocell tow required to reach target suction resistance was measured. The target suction resistance was 450 mmWG / rod, and whether the target suction resistance was achieved was measured according to the KS H ISO 6565 measurement standard. Measurement results are shown in Table 1 below. [Table 1]ExamplesComparative Examples12345123Required weight716660567515450724450700

[0263] As confirmed in Table 1 above, it was confirmed that lyocell materials of Examples 1 to 5 had a lower required weight required to reach the target suction resistance, as compared to a lyocell material of Comparative Example 1. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the lyocell materials of Examples 2 to 5 showed a lower required weight as compared to cellulose acetate tow of Comparative Example 3.<Experiment 2: Strength variation coefficient of tow>

[0264] The strength of each of the lyocell tows of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 was measured, and a variation coefficient (%) thereof was calculated through the following method.

[0265] A 2 m long sample was taken from each lyocell tow. Each sample was left and stabilized for 24 hours under conditions of a temperature of 20±2 °C and a humidity of 65±4 %. A load was applied to the sample by fixing one end of the stabilized sample and attaching a 2 kg weight to the other end. The sample stretched due to a load thereof was maintained and stabilized for 5 seconds and then cut into 200 mm length. The strength of the cut sample was evaluated using a universal testing machine (UTM, model number 3365 manufactured by Instron Corporation). A tensile speed applied to strength evaluation was 300 mm / min.

[0266] The strength evaluation was performed for each sample, and a mean and a standard deviation were calculated. In addition, a strength variation coefficient (%) was calculated by dividing the standard deviation by the mean. Measurement results are shown in Table 2 below. [Table 2]ExamplesComparative Examples12345123Strength variation coefficient (%)10.412.413.515.817.19.524.621.7

[0267] As confirmed in Table 2 above, it was confirmed that the strength variation coefficient of the lyocell materials of Examples 1 to 5 was less than that of a lyocell material of Comparative Example 2 by about 8 %p to about 15 %p.

[0268] In addition, it was confirmed that the strength variation coefficient of the lyocell materials of Examples 1 to 5 was less than that of cellulose acetate tow of Comparative Example 3 by about 5 %p to 12 %p. Accordingly, it is expected that the lyocell materials of Examples 1 to 5 may provide uniform and improved mechanical properties as compared to the cellulose acetate tow of Comparative Example 3.

[0269] As confirmed in Tables 1 and 2 above, the lyocell materials of Examples 1 to 5 were able to achieve the target suction resistance even with a relatively light required weight, and at the same time, could provide a relatively small strength variation coefficient.

[0270] As a result, it is expected that a filter for a smoking article including Examples 1 to 5 may provide advantages such as weight reduction and uniform strength as compared to a filter for a smoking article including Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2.

Claims

1. A lyocell material comprising: a first lyocell multifilament; and a second lyocell multifilament, wherein the first lyocell multifilament comprises a first monofilament having a first cross section, and the second lyocell multifilament comprises a second monofilament having a second cross section, wherein the first cross section is different from the second cross section.

2. The lyocell material of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament is crimped.

3. The lyocell material of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first cross section and the second cross section is a multi-lobal cross section.

4. The lyocell material of claim 3, wherein the first cross section is a first multi-lobal cross section, and the second cross section is a second multi-lobal cross section.

5. The lyocell material of claim 4, wherein the first multi-lobal cross section comprises three protrusions, and the second multi-lobal cross section comprises two protrusions, four protrusions, or five protrusions.

6. The lyocell material of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first cross section and the second cross section is a circular cross section.

7. The lyocell material of claim 1, wherein the first cross section is a circular cross section, and the second cross section is a multi-lobal cross section.

8. The lyocell material of claim 1, wherein a space occupancy ratio of the first monofilament is 100 % to 120 %, and a space occupancy ratio of the second monofilament is 120 % to 600 %.

9. The lyocell material of claim 1, wherein the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament are braided, woven, non-woven, arranged, or co-spun.

10. The lyocell material of claim 1, wherein the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament are bonded by a binder, wherein the binder comprises at least one selected from a polyester-based binder, a cellulose-based binder, and a vinyl-based binder.

11. The lyocell material of claim 1, wherein the lyocell material has a total fineness of 15,000 to 55,000 denier.

12. The lyocell material of claim 1, wherein a content of the second lyocell multifilament included in the lyocell material is 1 part by weight to 10,000 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the first lyocell multifilament.

13. The lyocell material of claim 1, wherein the lyocell material is lyocell tow.

14. The lyocell material of claim 1, wherein the lyocell material is used for a filter for a smoking article.

15. A filter for a smoking article, comprising the lyocell material of any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A smoking article comprising the filter for a smoking article of claim 15.

17. A method of preparing a lyocell material, the method comprising: spinning a lyocell dope; and performing coagulation and obtaining a multifilament, wherein the spinning of the lyocell dope comprises spinning a first lyocell multifilament comprising a first monofilament and spinning a second lyocell multifilament comprising a second monofilament, wherein a first cross section of the first monofilament is different from a second cross section of the second monofilament.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first lyocell multifilament and the second lyocell multifilament are spun by using a same lyocell dope or different lyocell dopes.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament are sequentially or simultaneously performed.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the spinning of the first lyocell multifilament and the spinning of the second lyocell multifilament are performed through a same spinneret or different spinnerets.

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