Mouthpiece or filter element for a smoking article

Abstract

A mouthpiece or filter element 110 includes a filtering core 111, arranged to provide a flow path for an aerosol and / or a smoke to be delivered to a user, a wrapper 114, surrounding said filtering cor

Description

The present invention provides a mouthpiece or filter element for use with a smoking article such as a cigarette, tobacco heating product or a heat-not-burn product. BACKGROUND Mouthpieces or filter elements for smoking articles such as cigarettes, tobacco heating products or heat-not-burn (HNB) products may be manufactured from a number of different materials. Presently, a major part of commercial cigarette filters comprises a significant amount of cellulose acetate. However, cellulose acetate is a plastic and has low biodegradability capacity and, as a result, cigarette filters (and cigarette butts) comprising cellulose acetate may persist in the environment for a long period of time. Therefore, there is increasing interest in filter elements (such as mouthpieces) that present a better biodegradability and / or comprise more sustainable material. An alternative filtration material to cellulose acetate is paper. Filters comprising paper as the filtering material are well known in the art. Paper filters offer a number of advantages over cellulose acetate filters in terms of enhanced biodegradability and higher filtration efficiencies at a given pressure drop. However, they also have a number of disadvantages compared to cellulose acetate filters, for example they may have a deleterious effect on the taste of the cigarette, reduced filter firmness and an unattractive pre and postsmoking appearance (as a result of staining). Further, paper filters typically have a reduced retention of toxic phenolic compounds and a much higher retention of tar and nicotine than those made from cellulose acetate. Thus, user experience is degraded compared to that with a conventional cellulose acetate filtered cigarette.

[0004] It is therefore desirable to provide a mouthpiece or filter element for a smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, a tobacco heating product, a heat-not-burn (HNB) product) which provides acceptable filtration properties and user experience, while having an improved biodegradability compared to conventional materials such as cellulose acetate, and / or which requires less non-sustainable material. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a first aspect relates to a mouthpiece or filter element comprising at least: - a filtering core, arranged to provide a flow path for an aerosol and / or a smoke to be delivered to a user, - a wrapper, surrounding said filtering core, wherein said filtering core comprises: - a first filtering material, - a second filtering material. The above mouthpiece or filter element has a filtering core comprising two filtering materials, so that the mix allows for keeping the user experience and filtration properties to a similar level to regular and existing filters or mouthpieces, while allowing to use sustainable materials, i.e. to reduce the quantity of regular filtering material. The present invention may be further defined by the below features, taken alone or in combination. According to an embodiment, said first filtering material is comprising cellulose. Cellulose is an organic compound with the formula (CeHwOs^. In the present application, wording “cellulose” refers to the above molecule, which is an important structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants. In particular, cellulose can be found in the shape of fibres in wood, and cellulose from wood pulp has typical chain lengths between 300 and 1700 units. The use of cellulose to manufacture the first filtering material can increase the biodegradability of the mouthpiece or filter element. Typically, duration to dissolve cellulose in natural environments is within days or months. In the present application, “cellulose” does not refer and / or does not designate “cellulose acetate”, which is a different compound. According to an embodiment, said first filtering material is comprising more than 80% of cellulose by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 90% of cellulose by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 95% of cellulose by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 98% of cellulose by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 99% of cellulose by weight of said first filtering material weight. In other words, the first filtering material is essentially made of cellulose. The Applicant found that user tests comparing cigarettes with filters per the invention (filtering core with cellulose as first filtering material, and a second filtering material) with cigarettes with conventional filter (filtering core with cellulose acetate only) lead to conclude that among criteria such as Smoothness, Sweetness, Easy to Draw, Hay-like, Woody, Bitterness, Dry Sensation, Irritation, the users felt less bitterness, less irritation and similar results for the other criteria. According to an embodiment, said first filtering material is comprising more than 70% of cellulose fibres by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 80% of cellulose fibres by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 90% of cellulose fibres by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 95% of cellulose fibres by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 98% of cellulose fibres by weight of said first filtering material weight. In the present application, a fibre is an elongated object having a length greater than its other dimensions (such as transverse dimension). In particular, its length is greater than 3 times the transverse dimension, preferably greater than 5 times the transverse dimension, preferably greater than 8 times the transverse dimension, preferably greater than 10 times the transverse dimension. According to an embodiment, said first filtering material is a paper, such as an air-laid paper. Unlike the normal papermaking process, air-laid paper does not use water as the carrying medium for the fibre. Fibres are carried and formed to the structure of paper by air. The air-laid structure may be isotropic. The raw material may be long fibered softwood fluff pulp in roll form. The pulp are defibrized in a hammermill. Defibration is the process of freeing the fibres from each other before entering the paper machine. Typically an air-laid paper may consist of at least 85% fibre. A binder may be applied as a spray or foam. Alternatively, additional fibres or powders may be added to the pulp which can then be activated and cured by heat. In other words, the first filtering material is not a wet-laid paper, and / or the first filtering material is not manufactured with water as carrying medium for the fibres. According to an embodiment, said first filtering material is in the shape of a strip or sheet having a basis weight comprised in the range of 45 g / m2 to 150 g / m2, preferably from 50 g / m2 to 120 g / m2, preferably in the range of 50 g / m2 to 80 g / m2, preferably in the range from 45 g / m2 to 75 g / m2, preferably in the range of 50 g / m2 to 70 g / m2, preferably in the range of 55 g / m2 to 70 g / m2, preferably in the range of 55 g / m2 to 65 g / m2, preferably in the range of 63 g / m2 to 57 g / m2. According to an embodiment, said first filtering material is in the shape of a strip or sheet having a thickness comprised in the range of 0.48 mm to 1.20 mm, preferably in the range of 0.50 mm to 0.80 mm, preferably in the range of 0.50 mm to 0.70 mm, preferably in the range of 0.53 mm to 0.63 mm, preferably in the range of 0.55 mm to 0.61 mm. According to an embodiment, said first filtering material is substantially free of glue and / or is substantially free of plastic material, and / or is substantially free of cellulose acetate and / or is substantially free of additive. According to an embodiment, the mouthpiece or filter element comprises said first filtering material in a range of 20% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 80% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 25% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 75% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 30% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 70% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 35% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 65% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 40% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 65% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 45% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 65% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 48% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 62% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element. According to an embodiment, said first filtering material is in the shape of an embossed strip or sheet, the embossing being preferably longitudinal folds substantially aligned with the mouthpiece or filter element axis. In an embodiment, the embossing is provided by longitudinal folds separated by a pitch comprised in a range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, preferably in a range of 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm. According to an embodiment, said first filtering material is in the shape of a strip or sheet randomly distributed within the filtering core. According to an embodiment, said first filtering material is away from said wrapper, preferably said first filtering material is separated from said wrapper at least by a portion of said second filtering material. This ensures that surface of wrapper is not deformed by first filtering material. According to an embodiment, said first filtering material is in the shape of a strip or sheet folded within the wrapper, the strip or sheet in an unfolded state having a width, in a transverse direction to an axis of the mouthpiece or filter element, comprised in the range of 10 mm to 200 mm, preferably in the range of 10 mm to 150 mm, preferably in the range of 15 mm to 100 mm, preferably in the range of 15 mm to 85 mm, preferably in the range of 20 mm to 80 mm, preferably in the range of 25 mm to 75 mm, preferably in the range of 30 mm to 70 mm, preferably in the range of 35 mm to 65 mm, preferably in the range of 38 mm to 62 mm. According to an embodiment, said second filtering material is comprising cellulose acetate. According to an embodiment, said second filtering material is essentially consisting of cellulose acetate. According to an embodiment, said second filtering material is comprising a tow or a fluffy material having : - a filament denier comprised in the range of 1.5 denier to 13 denier, preferably in the range of 3 denier to 9 denier, preferably in the range of 4 denier to 8 denier, and preferably in the range of 5 denier to 7 denier, and / or - a total denier comprised in the range of 9000 denier to 55000 denier, preferably in the range of 10000 denier to 24000 denier, preferably in the range of 13000 denier to 21000 denier, and preferably in the range of 16000 denier to 18000 denier. According to an embodiment, said second filtering material is comprising plasticizer in a range of 2% to 20% by weight of second filtering material weight, preferably in a range of 5% to 15% by weight of second filtering material weight, preferably in a range of 8% to 12% by weight of second filtering material weight. According to an embodiment, said second filtering material is crimped. According to an embodiment, said wrapper defines an external longitudinally extending tube and / or presents a circular cross section. According to an embodiment, said wrapper presents a perimeter comprised in the range of 15.00 mm to 30.00 mm, preferably in the range of 18.00 mm to 25.00 mm, preferably in the range of 20.80 mm to 22.80 mm, preferably in the range of 21.30 mm to 22.30 mm, preferably in the range of 21.60mm to 22.00 mm. According to an embodiment, said wrapper is a paper, having: - a weight comprised in the range of 20 g / m2 to 100 g / m2, preferably in the range of 20 g / m2 to 50 g / m2, preferably in the range of 20 g / m2 to 33 g / m2, preferably in the range of 23 g / m2 to 30 g / m2, and / or - a porosity comprised in the range of 1000 CU to 32000 CU, preferably in the range of 2400 CU to 24000 CU, preferably in the range of 5000 CU to 8000 CU, preferably measured per ISO 2965:2009. According to an embodiment, said filtering core is the single flow path of mouthpiece or filter element. According to an embodiment, said filtering core is consisting of said first filtering material and said second filtering material. According to an embodiment, said filtering core is comprising: - said first filtering material provided as a paper, preferably an air-laid paper, preferably consisting of cellulose, with preferably a grammage of 60g / m2 ± 10%, - said second filtering material provided as a tow, crimped, consisting of cellulose acetate with optionally a plasticizer at 10% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element ±10%, having a filament denier of 6 denier ±10% and total denier of 17000 denier ±10%, wherein the mouthpiece or filter element comprises: - said first filtering material in the range of 45% to 65% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight, - said second filtering material in the range of 35% to 55% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight. In a specific embodiment, the mouthpiece or filter element comprises: - said first filtering material in the range of 48% to 52% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight, - said second filtering material in the range of 52% to 48% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight. ln a specific embodiment, the mouthpiece or filter element comprises: - said first filtering material in the range of 58% to 62% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight, - said second filtering material in the range of 42% to 38% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight. According to an embodiment, the mouthpiece or filter element has a length comprised in a range of 50 mm to 160 mm, and preferably a length of 120 mm, and has a pressure drop comprised in the range of 20 mmWg to 1200 mmWg, preferably in the range of 100 mmWg to 500 mmWg, preferably in the range of 280 mmWg to 320 mmWg, preferably in the range of 290 mmWg to 310 mmWg, preferably in the range of 295 mmWg to 305 mmWg preferably when measured according to the CORESTA recommended method N° 41 (June 2007). A second aspect of the invention relates to an article, such as a smoking article or an aerosol delivering article, comprising a mouthpiece or filter element according to the first aspect. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description of particular non-limitative examples of the invention, illustrated by the appended drawings where: - figure 1 represents a smoking article with a mouthpiece or filter element according to the invention ; - figure 2 represents the mouthpiece or filter element of the smoking article of figure 1 ; - figure 3 represents a simplified method for manufacturing the mouthpiece or filter element according to the invention. DETAILLED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 shows an article 100, which is in this example a smoking article, that is to say a cigarette, comprising: - a mouthpiece or filter element 110, - a tobacco rod 120. Typically, the article 100 can be an elongated element along a longitudinal axis and can present: - a diameter comprised in the range of 4 mm to 12 mm, preferably in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm, preferably in the range of 7 mm to 9 mm, alternatively in the range of 5 mm to 7 mm, - a length comprised in the range of 30 mm to 130 mm, preferably in the range of 70 mm to 100 mm, alternatively in the range of 100 mm to 130 mm, alternatively in the range of 110 mm to 125 mm, alternatively in the range of 25 mm to 60 mm, alternatively in the range of 30 mm to 50 mm. In the present case, the article 100 present a cylindrical and circular shape, but other shapes are possible. The article 100 can be as in this example a smoking article known as a conventional (burning) cigarette, but the article 100 may be alternatively a heat not burn product, a heating tobacco product... The tobacco rod 120 may comprise cut filler, and / or reconstituted tobacco, and / or impregnated medium to produce an aerosol or smoke upon heating and / or burning. Figure 2 shows the mouthpiece or filter element 110 alone. The mouthpiece or filter element 110 comprises: - a filtering core 111, arranged to provide a flow path for an aerosol and / or a smoke to be delivered to a user and originating from the tobacco rod 120, - a wrapper 114 surrounding the filtering core 111, wherein the filtering core 111 comprises: - a first filtering material 112, - a second filtering material 113. In the present example, the first filtering material 112 may be a sheet or a strip of paper, preferably an air-laid paper, preferably an air-laid paper consisting of cellulose, with preferably a grammage of 60g / m2 ± 10%, preferably, the sheet or a strip of paper is crimped to exhibit longitudinal folds spaced apart with a pitch of around 1 mm +20%. Such air-laid paper may be supplied by McAirlaid under name Genia paper. In the present example, the second filtering material 113 may be provided as a tow, crimped, consisting of cellulose acetate with optionally a plasticizer at 10% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element ±10%, the tow having a filament denier of 6 denier +10% and total denier of 17000 denier +10%. Such cellulose acetate tow can be found under reference 6.0Y17 D-W. In the present example, the first filtering material 112 and the second filtering material 113 may be randomly distributed within the filtering core 111. Preferably the first filtering material 112 is never adjacent to the wrapper 114, that is to say that the second filtering material 113 is arranged between the wrapper 114 and the first filtering material 112. This ensures that the external diameter of the mouthpiece or filter element 110 is free of dimples, wrinkles, circularity defects. In the present example, the mouthpiece or filter element 110 may comprise: - said first filtering material 112 in the range of 45% to 65% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight, - said second filtering material 113 in the range of 35% to 55% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight. In a specific embodiment, the mouthpiece or filter element 110 may comprise: - said first filtering material 112 in the range of 48% to 52% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight, - said second filtering material 113 in the range of 52% to 48% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight. In a specific embodiment, the mouthpiece or filter element 110 may comprise: - said first filtering material 112 in the range of 58% to 62% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight, - said second filtering material 113 in the range of 42% to 38% by weight of said mouthpiece or filter element total weight. The wrapper 114 may be provided as a paper having: - a weight comprised in the range of 20 g / m2 to 33 g / m2, preferably in the range of 23 g / m2 to 30 g / m2, and / or - a porosity comprised in the range of 2400 CU to 24000 CU, preferably in the range of 5000 CU to 8000 CU. Typically, the wrapper 114 surrounds the filtering core 111 and is glued in an overlapping area. Figure 3 represents a simplified process to manufacture the mouthpiece or filter element 110. A first branch of process A handles or carries the first filtering material 112, a second branch of process B handles or carries the second filtering material 113, a third branch of process C handles or carries the wrapper 114, and a fourth branch of process D handles the rod making operation. In detail, the first filtering material 112 is provided as a jumbo roll onto the machine (the “rod maker”) and is uncoiled or unrolled at location A10. The strip of first filtering material 112 unrolled is then carried to a strip crimper A20, comprising two rollers each having grooves and ribs interpenetrating in the grooves and ribs of other roller. The interpenetration may be adjusted and passing the strip of first filtering material 112 between the two rollers results in an embossed strip of paper. In other words, the strip of first filtering material 112 between the two rollers of strip crimper A20 exhibits folds having a pitch of 1 mm ± 20% for example. The first branch of process may also comprise a cutting tool (cutting rollers or cutting disks) to adjust the width of the strip of first filtering material 112. For example, the width of the strip may be comprised in a range of 35 mm to 65 mm. In a specific example, the width is 40 mm ±2 mm, and in another specific example, the width is 60 mm ± 2 mm. The second branch of process B starts at a pick up B10 where the second filtering material 113 is collected for a bale of cellulose acetate tow. The tow is carried to a tow crimper B20 having two pairs of rollers to crimp the tow of second filtering material 113. The third branch of process C comprises an unwinder C10 for unwinding a roll of wrapper 114, in a known manner. The fourth branch of process D starts with a shaping member D10 receiving the crimped strip of first filtering material 112 and the crimped tow of second filtering material 113. The shaping member may be a funnel with converging shape to progressively receive and interposition the crimped strip of first filtering material 112 and the crimped tow of second filtering material 113. Air jets or air nozzles may be arranged in or around the shaping member D10 to ensure a proper compression of the materials. Due to the structure, the crimped strip of first filtering material 112 and the crimped tow of second filtering material 113 are randomly and evenly distributed in the available space so as to ensure reproductible characteristics of the mouthpiece or filter element 110. Once the crimped strip of first filtering material 112 and the crimped tow of second filtering material 113 are gathered and compressed together through passage in the shaping member D10, the material goes through a rod making part D20, typically comprising a belt and a garniture to progressively make the wrapper surrounding the gathered crimped strip of first filtering material 112 and crimped tow of second filtering material 113. The wrapper, previously glued on an overlapping region, is folded on itself and heated to provide adhesion. The glue can comprise polyvinyl acetate glue and / or hot-melt glue. The continuous rod of wrapper surrounding the mix of filtering material then goes through a cutter D30, which cuts the rod into filtering portions of 120 mm for example. These filtering portions of 120 mm length can be later recut to provide mouthpiece or filter elements, of component for a composite rod. Some tests were carried out, and as an example of a filtering portion of 120 mm length: - the first filtering material 112 is a cellulose paper having a mass of 60g / m2, thickness of 0.58 mm (Genia paper from McAirlaid), - the second filtering material 113 is cellulose acetate tow having a filament denier of 6 denier and total denier of 17000, - the total weight of a filtering portion of 120 mm length is 0.802 g, -the weight of first filtering material 112 is 0.4464 g, which is 62% of total weight of filtering portion of 120 mm length, - the weight of second filtering material 113 is 0.2805 g, which is 35% of total weight of filtering portion of 120 mm length, - the weight of plasticizer added to second filtering material 113 is 10% by weight of total weight of filtering portion of 120 mm length, - the wrapper is paper having 24.5 mm width, and porosity of 6000 CD. Test Parts had an outer perimeter of 21.81 mm and exhibited a pressure drop of 301.99 mmWg. Reference parts with solely second filtering material 113 (cellulose acetate) as filtering material were manufactured: - the second filtering material 113 is cellulose acetate tow having a filament denier of 6 denier and total denier of 17000, - the total weight of a filtering portion of 120 mm length is 0.6328 g, - the weight of second filtering material 113 is 0.507 g, which is 80% of total weight of filtering portion of 120 mm length. Reference Parts had an outer perimeter of 21.83 mm and exhibited a pressure drop of 300.81 mmWg. Sensory testing has been carried out as follows: # Panelist :14 Tobacco Column : Sampoerna Mild Descriptive Test Panelist compared cigarettes consist of 2 types of filters, scored each cigarette according to identified sensory attributes (Smoothness, Sweetness, Easy to Draw, Hay-like, Woody, Bitterness, Dry Sensation, Irritation) 5 Compared to reference parts, the tests parts (with 62% by weight of first filtering material 112-cellulose paper and 35% of second filtering material 113-cellulose acetate) could provide similar taste delivery with reference parts (with only cellulose acetate filtering material), with improvement on irritation and bitterness. 10 In addition, one can note that test parts with filters according to the present invention require less cellulose acetate material (up to 45% decrease of cellulose acetate weight). Further, the first filtering material 112 has a far better biodegradability, so that the overall impact an environment is reduced as well. 15 It is of course understood that obvious improvements and / or modifications for one skilled in the art may be implemented, still being under the scope of the invention as it is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mouthpiece or filter element comprising at least:- a filtering core, arranged to provide a flow path for an aerosol and / or a smoke to be delivered to a user,- a wrapper, surrounding said filtering core, wherein said filtering core comprises:- a first filtering material, - a second filtering material.

2. The mouthpiece or filter element according to claim 1, wherein said first filtering material is comprising cellulose.

3. The mouthpiece or filter element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first filtering material is comprising more than 80% of cellulose by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 90% of cellulose by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 95% of cellulose by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 98% of cellulose by weight of said first filtering material weight.

4. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said first filtering material is comprising more than 70% of cellulose fibres by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 80% of cellulose fibres by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 90% of cellulose fibres by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 95% of cellulose fibres by weight of said first filtering material weight, preferably more than 98% of cellulose fibres by weight of said first filtering material weight.

5. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first filtering material is a paper, such as an air-laid paper.

6. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said first filtering material is in the shape of a strip or sheethaving a basis weight comprised in the range of 45 g / m2 to 150 g / m2, preferably from 45 g / m2 to 75 g / m2, preferably from 50 g / m2 to 70 g / m2, preferably in the range of 55 g / m2 to 65 g / m2, preferably in the range of 63 g / m2 to 57 g / m2.

7. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said first filtering material is in the shape of a strip or sheet having a thickness comprised in the range of 0.48 mm to 1.20 mm, preferably in the range of 0.48 mm to 0.68 mm, preferably in the range of 0.53 mm to 0.63 mm, preferably in the range of 0.55 mm to 0.61 mm.

8. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said first filtering material is substantially free of glue and / or is substantially free of plastic material, and / or is substantially free of cellulose acetate and / or is substantially free of additive.

9. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising said first filtering material in a range of 20% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 80% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 25% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 75% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 30% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 70% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 35% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 65% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 40% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 65% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 45% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 65% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element, preferably in the range of 48% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element to 62% by weight of total weight of mouthpiece or filter element.

10. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said first filtering material is in the shape of an embossed stripor sheet, the embossing being preferably longitudinal folds substantially aligned with an axis of the mouthpiece or filter element.

11. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said first filtering material is in the shape of a strip or sheet randomly distributed within the filtering core.

12. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said first filtering material is in the shape of a strip or sheet folded within the wrapper, the strip or sheet in an unfolded state having a width, in a transverse direction to an axis of the mouthpiece or filter element, comprised in the range of 10 mm to 200 mm, preferably in the range of 15 mm to 85 mm, preferably in the range of 20 mm to 80 mm, preferably in the range of 25 mm to 75 mm, preferably in the range of 30 mm to 70 mm, preferably in the range of 35 mm to 65 mm, preferably in the range of 38 mm to 62 mm.

13. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said second filtering material is comprising cellulose acetate.

14. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said second filtering material is comprising a tow or a fluffy material having :- a filament denier comprised in the range of 1.5 denier to 13 denier, preferably in the range of 3 denier to 9 denier, preferably in the range of 4 denier to 8 denier, and preferably in the range of 5 denier to 7 denier, and / or- a total denier comprised in the range of 9000 denier to 55000 denier, preferably in the range of 10000 denier to 24000 denier, preferably in the range of 13000 denier to 21000 denier, and preferably in the range of 16000 denier to 18000 denier.

15. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said second filtering material is comprising plasticizer in a range of 2% to 20% by weight of second filtering material weight, preferably in a range of 5% to 15% by weight of second filtering material weight, preferably in a range of 8% to 12% by weight of second filtering material weight.

16. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said wrapper defines an external longitudinally extending tube and / or presents a circular cross section.

17. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said wrapper presents a perimeter comprised in the range of 15.00 mm to 30.00 mm, preferably in the range of 20.80 mm to 22.80 mm, preferably in the range of 21.30 mm to 22.30 mm, preferably in the range of 21.60mm to 22.00 mm.

18. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein said wrapper is a paper, having:- a weight comprised in the range of 20 g / m2 to 100 g / m2, preferably in the range of 20 g / m2 to 33 g / m2, preferably in the range of 23 g / m2 to 30 g / m2, and / or- a porosity comprised in the range of 1000 CU to 32000 CU, preferably in the range of 2400 CU to 24000 CU, preferably in the range of 5000 CU to 8000 CU.

19. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said filtering core is the single flow path of mouthpiece or filter element.

20. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein said filtering core is consisting of said first filtering material and said second filtering material.

21. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 20, having a length comprised in a range of 50 mm to 160 mm, and preferably a length of 120 mm and having a pressure drop comprised in the range of 20 mmWg to 1200 mmWg, preferably in the range of 280 mmWg to 320 mmWg, preferably in the range of 290 mmWg to 310 mmWg, preferably in the range of 295 mmWg to 305 mmWg preferably when measured according to the CORESTA recommended method N° 41.

22. An article, such as a smoking article or an aerosol delivering article, comprising a mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

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