Paper tube

Abstract

The present invention provides a mouthpiece or filter element (for smoking articles such as cigarettes, heated tobacco products, HNB products, etc.) comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g. substantially cylindrical) hollow tube of paper, a packing layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material engaged around the hollow tube along its entire (e.g. longitudinal) length, and a wrapper (e.g. plug wrap) engaged around the packing layer along its entire (e.g. longitudinal) length, wherein the hollow tube, packing layer, and wrapper are of the same length.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention provides a mouthpiece or filter element for use with a smoking article, such as a cigarette, a heated tobacco product, or a non-combustion heating product. [Background technology]

[0002] Mouthpieces or filter elements for smoking articles such as cigarettes, heated tobacco products, or heat-not-burn (HNB) products can be manufactured from several different materials. Currently, 98% of commercially available cigarette filters contain cellulose acetate (source: Euromonitor International). However, cellulose acetate is not biodegradable, and as a result, cigarette filters (and cigarette butts) containing cellulose acetate can persist in the environment for years. For this reason, and in light of new EU legislation coming into force in 2021 (aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastics such as cellulose acetate filters), there is growing interest in filter elements (such as mouthpieces) that do not contain single-use plastics and are biodegradable.

[0003] An alternative filtration material to cellulose acetate is paper. Filters that include paper as a filtration material are well known in the art. Paper filters offer many advantages over cellulose acetate filters in terms of improved biodegradability and higher filtration efficiency at a given pressure drop. However, paper filters also have some disadvantages compared to cellulose acetate filters, for example, paper filters can adversely affect the taste of cigarettes, reduce filter stiffness, and have an unattractive pre- and post-smoking appearance (as a result of stains). Furthermore, paper filters typically have a lower retention of toxic phenolic compounds and a much higher retention of tar and nicotine than those made from cellulose acetate. Thus, the smoking experience of cigarettes using conventional paper filters does not match that of conventional cellulose acetate filter cigarettes.

[0004] It is therefore desirable to provide a mouthpiece or filter element for smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, heated tobacco products, heat-not-burn (HNB) products) that offers acceptable filtration properties and firmness (i.e., hardness) while having improved biodegradability compared to conventional materials such as cellulose acetate. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, in a first aspect, there is provided a mouthpiece or filter element (e.g. for a smoking article such as a cigarette, a heated tobacco product, an HNB product, etc.) comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g. substantially cylindrical) hollow tube of paper, a packing layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material engaged around the hollow tube along its entire (e.g. longitudinal) length, and a wrapper (e.g. plug wrap) engaged around the packing layer along its entire (e.g. longitudinal) length, wherein the hollow tube, the packing layer, and the wrapper are of the same length.

[0006] The wrapper, paper hollow tube, and paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration materials used in the present invention are biodegradable and have improved biodegradability compared to cellulose acetate. Thus, the present invention provides a mouthpiece or filter element with improved biodegradability, and is therefore more environmentally friendly and more compliant with EU legislation.

[0007] The term "biodegradable" means that the wrapper, paper hollow tube, filtration material, mouthpiece, or filter element is capable of exhibiting at least 90% biodegradability after 6 months under controlled composting conditions (see ISO14855-1 Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions-Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide).

[0008] Preferably, the wrapper, the paper hollow tube, the filtration material, the mouthpiece, or the filter element is "readily biodegradable". The phrase "readily biodegradable" refers to the material, the filtration material, the mouthpiece, or the filter element being capable of quickly degrading and completely biodegrading when immersed in water. Preferably, the wrapper, the paper hollow tube, the filtration material, the mouthpiece, or the filter element has a "Ready Biodegradability" level of biodegradability measured according to the OECD 301B "Ready Biodegradability" method (modified Sturm test), which is well known in the art. The phrase "readily biodegradable" is understood herein to mean a "readily biodegradable" level of biodegradability.

[0009] Applicants have discovered that a mouthpiece or filter element (e.g., for smoking articles such as cigarettes, heated tobacco products, HNB products, etc.) comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) hollow tube of paper or other biodegradable material, a packing layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material engaged around the hollow tube along its entire (e.g., longitudinal) length, and a wrapper (e.g., plug wrap) engaged around the packing layer along its entire (e.g., longitudinal) length, wherein the hollow tube, packing layer, and wrapper are of the same length, provides excellent filtration characteristics and performance while also being biodegradable.

[0010] Preferably, the mouthpiece or filter element has a uniform cross-section (eg, a uniform axial cross-section).

[0011] Preferably, the cross section of the mouthpiece or filter element is annular, which means that the cross section of the mouthpiece or filter element has an inner circumference or periphery and an outer circumference or periphery. Preferably, the inner circumference or periphery is circular, which means that the hollow tube is substantially cylindrical. Preferably, the outer circumference or periphery is circular, which means that the mouthpiece or filter element is substantially cylindrical in shape. This can be seen, for example, in FIG. 2. However, the inner circumference or periphery and the outer circumference or periphery may be of any shape. For example, the outer circumference or periphery may be circular or elliptical in shape, and the inner circumference or periphery may be circular, semicircular (D-shaped), square, triangular, star-shaped, trefoil-shaped, pentagonal, or gear-shaped cross section, or in the shape of a logo or other pattern.

[0012] Preferably, the circumference or perimeter of the paper hollow tube is between 4 and 25 mm, such as between 5 and 20 mm, for example between 6 and 18 mm, such as between 8 and 10 mm.

[0013] The hollow tube may comprise paper. Preferably the paper of the hollow tube is a plug wrap of 80 to 150 gsm basis weight, for example a plug wrap of 90 to 140 gsm basis weight, such as a plug wrap of 100 to 120 gsm basis weight, for example a plug wrap of 100 gsm basis weight.

[0014] Applicants have found that the use of plug wrap of between 80 and 150 gsm basis weight provides a suitably rigid hollow tube that will support a packing layer containing paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material and maintain its tubular shape. Advantageously, plug wrap of between 80 and 150 gsm basis weight is also biodegradable.

[0015] Preferably, the packing layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material is engaged around the hollow tube along its entire (e.g., longitudinal) length. In other words, the packing layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material surrounds the hollow tube along its entire (e.g., longitudinal) length, such that there is substantially no underlap or extension beyond the entire (e.g., longitudinal) length of the hollow tube.

[0016] Preferably, the packing layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material engaged around the hollow tube has a width or thickness (t) of 0.6 to 2.0 mm, such as 0.8 to 1.8 mm, for example 1.0 to 1.6 mm, for example 1.3 mm. This can be seen, for example, in FIG. 2.

[0017] The term "width or thickness" is herein readily understood to mean the shortest distance from any position on the circumference of the hollow tube (e.g., when the hollow tube is substantially cylindrical) to the outer periphery or circumference of the packing layer containing paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material. However, it will be understood that there can be more than one value for width or thickness, as long as the packing layer containing paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material is not engaged uniformly (e.g., circularly) around the hollow tube. Furthermore, it will be understood that there can be more than one value for width or thickness, when the cross section (i.e., the inner circumference or circumference) of the hollow tube is a semicircular (D-shaped), square, triangular, star-shaped, trefoil, pentagonal or gear-shaped cross section, or in the shape of a logo or other pattern. The term "width or thickness" is herein readily understood to mean the shortest distance from any position on the circumference of the hollow tube to the outer periphery or circumference of the packing layer containing paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material.

[0018] The paper filter material and / or other biodegradable filter material can be paper (any form) that is conventionally used in mouthpieces or filter elements. The paper can be, for example, filter paper, nonwoven paper, airlaid paper, or cellulose / lyocell / viscose-based paper. The paper can be nonwoven paper made of non-plastic plant-based fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch, or wood pulp) or a mixture of these materials. Preferably, the other biodegradable filter material does not contain cellulose acetate. Preferably, the filler layer does not contain cellulose acetate.

[0019] The paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material may be in the form of a mixture of different paper and / or other biodegradable filtration materials. The paper may be coated with a hydrophobic coating or material.

[0020] Applicants have found that the use of nonwoven papers (e.g., those made of non-plastic plant-based fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch, or wood pulp) and / or airlaid papers is particularly suitable for the filler layer because they are flexible, simple to manufacture into layers that are engaged around hollow tubes, have excellent filtration properties and performance, and are biodegradable at the same time. Furthermore, Applicants have found that the use of nonwoven papers (e.g., those made of non-plastic plant-based fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch, or wood pulp) and / or airlaid papers provides a unique visual edge appearance that is attractive to consumers and may help combat counterfeiting.

[0021] The packing layer including paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material may be constructed from multiple (ie, two or more) sheets or layers of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material.

[0022] The filler layer including the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material may include carbon (e.g., activated carbon granules). The paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material may be impregnated or embedded with carbon.

[0023] Preferably, the wrapper engaged around the filler layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material is a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 50 to 150 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 60 to 140 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 to 130 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 80 to 120 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 100 gsm.

[0024] Applicants have found that the use of a 50-150 gsm paper (e.g., plug wrap) wrapper engaged around a filler layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material is a suitable outer wrap and can provide a stiffness (i.e., hardness) similar to that of a cellulose acetate based tube (e.g., hollow acetate tube), thus providing a mouthpiece or filter element with a desirable stiffness (i.e., hardness). Advantageously, the 50-150 gsm paper (e.g., plug wrap) wrapper is biodegradable.

[0025] The wrapper (e.g., plug wrap) engaged around the packing layer containing the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material may be non-porous, or alternatively, the wrapper (e.g., plug wrap) engaged around the packing layer containing the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material may be breathable or air permeable having an air permeability of 0 to 32,000 Coresta units.

[0026] The wrapper engaged around the packing layer including the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material is engaged around the packing layer including the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material along the entire (e.g., longitudinal) length of the packing layer. In other words, the wrapper engaged around the packing layer including the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material surrounds the layer including the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material along the entire (e.g., longitudinal) length of the packing layer, such that there is substantially no underlap or extension beyond the packing layer.

[0027] The mouthpiece or filter element may be biodegradable and may be greater than 90% biodegradable as measured according to ISO 14855-1 Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions-Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide. Preferably, the mouthpiece or filter element exhibits at least 90% biodegradability after 6 months as measured according to ISO 14855-1.

[0028] Preferably, the mouthpiece or filter element has a "Ready Biodegradability" level of biodegradability as measured according to the OECD 301B "Ready Biodegradability" method (modified Sturm test).

[0029] Preferably, the length of the mouthpiece or filter element is from 5 to 50 mm, such as from 10 to 30 mm, for example from 8 to 24 mm, such as from 15 to 20 mm, for example 18 mm.

[0030] Preferably the circumference or perimeter of the mouthpiece or filter element is from 14 to 30mm, such as from 16 to 25mm, for example from 24 to 25mm.

[0031] The mouthpiece or filter element may include a smoke or vapor modifier that may modify or enhance the consumer's experience. The smoke or vapor modifier may impart additional flavor or aroma to the vapor passing through the mouthpiece or filter, or may suppress a particular flavor or aroma. The smoke or vapor modifier may be disposed on or in the hollow tube, the filler layer including paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material, or the wrapper. The smoke or vapor modifier may be a liquid additive (e.g., a flavor enhancing additive). The flavor enhancing additive may be any known in the art, such as an additive that reduces "paper taste" (e.g., additives with a suitable carrier, such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, menthol with other oils, peppermint, fruit, berry, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, etc.).

[0032] The inclusion of one or more flavor enhancing additives can overcome the perception of "paper taste" and provide a smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, e.g., a heated tobacco product, e.g., an HNB product) with sensory characteristics similar to smoking articles that are filtered with cellulose acetate.

[0033] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a smoking article (e.g. a cigarette, e.g. a heated tobacco product, e.g. an HNB product), the smoking article comprising a mouthpiece or filter element as described herein and claimed below, or a filter including a mouthpiece or filter element as described herein and claimed below, wherein the mouthpiece or filter element is joined to a wrapped tobacco rod with one end facing the tobacco rod.

[0034] It will be appreciated that a smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, e.g., a heated tobacco product, e.g., an HNB product) may comprise one or more separate further segments (e.g., of an HNB mouthpiece, e.g., of a filter element). The separate further segment may be a (e.g., cylindrical) plug of filtration material (e.g., paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material), or a (e.g., cylindrical) rod of tobacco (e.g., tobacco of any form, including reconstituted tobacco).

[0035] The applicants have found that smoking articles (e.g. cigarettes, e.g. heated tobacco products, e.g. HNB products) comprising a mouthpiece or filter element according to the invention may reduce the appearance of stains at the mouth end (i.e. the end of the smoker's mouth) compared to conventional (e.g. non-annular) mouthpieces or filter elements. Further mouthpieces or filter elements of the invention may provide adequate cooling and airflow of smoke or vapour, as well as a unique end appearance that may be attractive to consumers and help combat counterfeiting.

[0036] It will be understood that the mouthpiece or filter element may be used as a single segment in any multi-segment filter or consumable. The filter structure could be two, three, four or more separate segments. The filter may be attached to a tobacco rod, which may be made from any form of tobacco (including reconstituted). The filter may include other segments, including capsule, carbon, CPS, tube, acetate, paper, menthol, etc.

[0037] According to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a mouthpiece or filter element, comprising the steps of gathering and fastening a single sheet of paper to form a longitudinally extending hollow tube; the steps of advancing two or more sheets of paper filtration material and / or other readily biodegradable filtration material in a longitudinal direction; separating the two or more longitudinally advancing sheets of paper filtration material and / or other readily biodegradable filtration material; gathering or wrapping (e.g., spirally wrapping) the separated longitudinally advancing sheets of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material around a longitudinally extending hollow tube to form a packing layer comprising the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material engaged about the hollow tube; and gathering and securing a wrapper (e.g., plug wrap) around the packing layer comprising the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material to form a continuous rod. cutting the continuous rod to form individual mouthpieces or filter elements; A method is also provided that includes:

[0038] Preferably, the two or more sheets of paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material are separated by a separator (eg, a cone separator).

[0039] Applicants have found that using a separator to separate two or more sheets of paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material ensures uniform spreading of the sheets, thus forming a uniform layer (e.g., in a circular shape) comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material engaged about a hollow tube. Advantageously, the separator provides a uniform width or thickness of the layer of packing comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material.

[0040] Separated sheets of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material can be wrapped (eg, helically) around a longitudinally extending hollow tube by a spinning jet.

[0041] Applicants have found that by using a spinning jet to wrap (e.g., spirally) a sheet of separated paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material, a longitudinally spiral layer of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material of uniform width or thickness is provided.

[0042] Preferably the paper of the hollow tube is a plug wrap having a basis weight of 80 to 150 gsm, for example a plug wrap having a basis weight of 90 to 140 gsm, for example a plug wrap having a basis weight of 100 to 120 gsm, for example a plug wrap having a basis weight of 100 gsm.

[0043] Applicants have found that the use of plug wrap having a basis weight of 80-150 gsm provides a suitably rigid hollow tube for supporting separated sheets of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material as the longitudinally advancing sheets of separated paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material are gathered or wrapped (e.g., spirally) around the longitudinally extending hollow tube to form a packing layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material.

[0044] The two or more sheets of paper and / or other biodegradable filter material may be paper (in any form) conventionally used in mouthpieces or filter elements. The paper may be, for example, filter paper, nonwoven paper, airlaid paper, or cellulose / lyocell / viscose-based paper. The paper may be nonwoven paper made of non-plastic plant-based fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch, or wood pulp) or a mixture of these materials.

[0045] The two or more sheets of paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material may be in the form of a mixture of different paper and / or other biodegradable filtration materials. The two or more sheets of paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material paper may be coated with a hydrophobic coating or hydrophobic material. It will be understood that the two or more sheets of paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material may be composed of sheets of the same paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material or may be sheets of different paper and / or other biodegradable filtration materials (e.g., giving a mixture of paper and / or other biodegradable filtration materials).

[0046] Applicants have found that the use of nonwoven papers (e.g., those made from non-plastic plant-based fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch, or wood pulp) and / or airlaid papers is particularly suitable as they are flexible and easy to manufacture into layers that are engaged around the hollow tube.

[0047] The two or more sheets of paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material may each have a width of 15-100mm, such as 30-80mm, for example 40-70mm, such as 50-60mm, for example 70mm.

[0048] The two or more longitudinally advancing sheets of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material may include two, three, or four longitudinally advancing sheets of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material.

[0049] Applicants have found that using two or more (e.g., two, three, or four) longitudinally advancing sheets of paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material helps to center the paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material around the hollow tube, so that the paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material forms a uniform layer (i.e., a layer of uniform thickness and width) around the hollow tube.

[0050] Preferably the wrapper is a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 50 to 150 gsm, for example, a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 60 to 140 gsm, for example, a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 to 130 gsm, for example, a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 80 to 120 gsm, for example, a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 100 gsm.

[0051] Preferably, an adhesive is used to secure the paper to the longitudinally extending hollow tube (i.e., secured by a lapped seam as known in the art) and to secure the wrapper around the filler layer comprising the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material (i.e., secured by a lapped seam as known in the art).

[0052] According to the present invention there is provided a mouthpiece or filter element obtainable by the method described herein and claimed below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0053] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a mouthpiece or filter element according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional profile of the present invention.

[0054] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a mouthpiece or filter element 100 having a length of 108 mm and a circumference of 24.2 mm. The mouthpiece or filter element 100 comprises a longitudinally extending hollow tube 101 of paper having a basis weight of 100 gsm, a length of 108 mm and a circumference of 16 mm, a packing layer 102 comprising an airlaid nonwoven paper filtration material having a width / thickness of about 1.3 mm engaged about the entire length of the hollow tube 101, and a plug wrap 103 having a basis weight of 100 gsm engaged about the entire length of the packing layer 102 comprising airlaid nonwoven paper filtration material. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the hollow tube 101, the packing layer 102 comprising airlaid nonwoven material, and the wrapper 103 are of the same length.

[0055] 2 shows the cross-sectional profile of mouthpiece or filter element 100. Mouthpiece or filter element 100 has an annular cross-section with an inner circumference (defined by hollow tube 101) of 16 mm and an outer circumference (defined by the periphery of mouthpiece or filter element 100 defined by wrapper 103) of 24.2 mm. The width / thickness (t) of filler layer 102 is approximately 1.3 mm.

[0056] The mouthpiece or filter element 100 is made by the steps of: gathering sheets of paper having a basis weight of 100 gsm, overlapping and fastening them at a glued seam to form a longitudinally extending hollow tube 101; longitudinally advancing four sheets of airlaid nonwoven paper filtration material having a width of 70 mm; separating the four longitudinally advancing sheets of airlaid nonwoven paper filtration material with a cone separator; and wrapping the four longitudinally advancing sheets of separated airlaid nonwoven paper filtration material around the longitudinally extending hollow tube 101. The continuous rod may be made using techniques known in the art by a process including gathering a sheet of material to form a packing layer 102 comprising airlaid nonwoven paper filtration material engaged about a hollow tube 101, gathering a plug wrap 103 of 100 gsm basis weight around the packing layer of airlaid nonwoven paper filtration material and securing at an overlapping and laminating seam, and cutting the continuous rod at 108 mm intervals to form individual mouthpieces or filter elements 100.

[0057] Example 1 The biodegradability of paper filtration materials and / or other biodegradable filtration materials used in the mouthpieces or filter elements of the present invention was compared to the biodegradability of known cellulose acetate filters and filters containing cellulose acetate.

[0058] Biodegradability was measured according to ISO14855-1 Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions-Method by analysis of generated carbon dioxide. This test provides a measure of the biodegradability of a material (expressed as a percentage) over a period of 180 days under optimum oxygen, temperature and humidity conditions.

[0059] Table 1 shows the biodegradability results for a monoacetate filter, an airlaid paper filter (Genia), a wood pulp paper filter, a hemp paper filter, and two BiTech™ filters (50% acetate / 50% paper and 25% acetate / 75% paper) compared to a standard cellulose acetate (CA) filter rod when tested according to the ISO 14855-1 method. Filters were either purchased or made according to methods known in the art.

[0060] [Table 1]

[0061] Table 1 shows that wood pulp paper and hemp paper have the highest biodegradability of all filtration materials. Furthermore, airlaid paper (Genia) and 25 / 75 BiTech™ also show good biodegradability compared to CA. It will be understood that 25 / 75 BiTech™ is biodegradable (as measured according to ISO14855-1). Thus, this filtration material contains a certain amount of cellulose acetate (i.e., 25% cellulose acetate) but is within the scope of the present invention.

[0062] Thus, the paper filtration materials and / or other biodegradable filter materials used in the mouthpieces or filter elements of the present invention degrade faster and more extensively than cellulose acetate.

[0063] The present invention includes subject matter described in the following numbered paragraphs. 1. A mouthpiece or filter element comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) hollow tube of paper or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) material; a layer including a paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material engaged about the hollow tube; a wrapper (e.g., plug wrap) engaged about the layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material; A mouthpiece or filter element comprising: 2. The mouthpiece or filter element of paragraph 1, wherein the cross-section of the mouthpiece or filter element is uniform. 3. The mouthpiece or filter element of either paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the cross-section of the mouthpiece or filter element is annular. 4. A mouthpiece or filter element according to any of paragraphs 1 to 3, wherein the circumference of the hollow tube of paper or other biodegradable (e.g. non-cellulose acetate) material is between 4 and 25 mm, such as between 5 and 20 mm, for example between 6 and 18 mm, for example between 8 and 10 mm. 5. The mouthpiece or filter element of any of paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein the paper or other biodegradable (e.g. non-cellulose acetate) material of the hollow tube is a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 80 to 150 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 90 to 140 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 100 to 120 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 100 gsm. 6. The mouthpiece or filter element of any of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein a layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g. non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material is engaged around the hollow tube along its entire (e.g. longitudinal) length. 7. A mouthpiece or filter element according to any of paragraphs 1 to 6, wherein the layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g. non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material engaged around the hollow tube has a width or thickness of 0.6 to 2.0 mm, such as 0.8 to 1.8 mm, for example 1.0 to 1.6 mm, for example 1.3 mm. 8. The mouthpiece or filter element of any of paragraphs 1 to 7, wherein the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing) filtration material is filter paper, nonwoven paper, airlaid paper, or cellulose / lyocell / viscose-based paper. 9. The mouthpiece or filter element of any of paragraphs 1 to 8, wherein the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., not containing cellulose acetate) filtration material is a non-woven paper made of non-plastic plant-based fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch, or wood pulp) or a mixture of these materials. 10. A mouthpiece or filter element according to any of paragraphs 1 to 9, wherein the layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g. non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material is composed of multiple (i.e. two or more) sheets or layers of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g. non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material. 11. The mouthpiece or filter element of any of paragraphs 1 to 10, wherein the layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g. non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material comprises carbon (e.g. activated carbon granules). 12. A mouthpiece or filter element according to any of paragraphs 1 to 11, wherein the wrapper engaged around the layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g. not containing cellulose acetate) filtration material is a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 50 to 150 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 60 to 140 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 to 130 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 80 to 120 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 100 gsm. 13. The mouthpiece or filter element of any of paragraphs 1 to 12, wherein the wrapper (e.g., plug wrap) engaged around the layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing) filtration material is non-porous. 14. The mouthpiece or filter element of any of paragraphs 1 to 13, wherein a wrapper (e.g., plug wrap) engaged around the layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material is engaged around the layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material along the entire (e.g., longitudinal) length of the layer. 15. A mouthpiece or filter element according to any of paragraphs 1 to 14, wherein the mouthpiece or filter element has a biodegradability of more than 90% when measured according to ISO14855-1 Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions-Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide. 16. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any of paragraphs 1 to 15, wherein the mouthpiece or filter element has a "Ready Biodegradability" level of biodegradability when measured according to the OECD 301B "Ready Biodegradability" method (modified Sturm test). 17. A mouthpiece or filter element according to any of paragraphs 1 to 16, wherein the length of the mouthpiece or filter element is from 5 to 50 mm, such as from 10 to 30 mm, for example from 8 to 24 mm, such as from 15 to 20 mm, for example 18 mm. 18. A mouthpiece or filter element according to any of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the circumference of the mouthpiece or filter element is between 14mm and 30mm, such as between 16mm and 25mm, for example between 24mm and 25mm. 19. A smoking article (e.g. a cigarette, e.g. a heated tobacco product, e.g. an HNB product) comprising a mouthpiece or filter element according to any of paragraphs 1 to 18, or a filter comprising a mouthpiece or filter element according to any of paragraphs 1 to 18, joined to a wrapped tobacco rod with one end of the filter facing the tobacco rod. 20. A multi-segment filter comprising a mouthpiece or filter element according to any of paragraphs 1 to 18 and one or more separate further segments. 21. A method for making a mouthpiece or filter element, comprising: gathering and fixing paper or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) material to form a longitudinally extending hollow tube; longitudinally advancing two or more sheets of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material; Separating two or more sheets of paper filtration material and / or other readily biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing) filtration material advancing in a longitudinal direction; gathering or wrapping (e.g., spirally wrapping) the longitudinally advancing separated sheets of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing) filtration material around a longitudinally extending hollow tube to form a layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing) filtration material engaged about the hollow tube; Assembling and securing a wrapper (e.g., plug wrap) around the layer of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing) filtration material; cutting the continuous rod to form individual mouthpieces or filter elements; A method comprising: 22. The method of paragraph 21, wherein the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material is filter paper, nonwoven paper, airlaid paper, or cellulose / lyocell / viscose based paper. 23. The method of any one of paragraphs 21 or 22, wherein the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material is a non-woven paper made of non-plastic plant-based fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch, or wood pulp) or a mixture of these materials. 24. A mouthpiece or filter element obtainable by the method according to any one of paragraphs 21 to 23.

Claims

1. A mouthpiece or filter element comprising: a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) hollow paper tube; a packing layer comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material engaged around the hollow tube along its entire (e.g., longitudinal) length; a wrapper (e.g., plug wrap) engaged around the filler layer along the entire (e.g., longitudinal) length of the filler layer, wherein the hollow tube, the filler layer, and the wrapper are the same length. Mouthpiece or filter element.

2. 10. The mouthpiece or filter element of claim 1, wherein the cross section of the mouthpiece or filter element is uniform and / or annular.

3. 2. The mouthpiece or filter element of claim 1, wherein the circumference of the paper hollow tube is between 4 and 25 mm, such as between 5 and 20 mm, for example between 6 and 18 mm, for example between 8 and 10 mm, and / or the filler layer comprising the paper filtering material and / or other biodegradable filtering material comprises carbon (e.g. activated carbon granules).

4. 2. The mouthpiece or filter element of claim 1, wherein the paper of the hollow tube is a paper (e.g. plug wrap) with a basis weight of 80 to 150 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) with a basis weight of 90 to 140 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) with a basis weight of 100 to 120 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) with a basis weight of 100 gsm, and / or the filler layer comprising the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material engaged around the hollow tube has a width or thickness of 0.6 to 2.0 mm, such as 0.8 to 1.8 mm, for example 1.0 to 1.6 mm, for example 1.3 mm.

5. 5. The mouthpiece or filter element of claim 1, wherein the paper and / or other biodegradable filter material is filter paper, nonwoven paper, airlaid paper, or cellulose / lyocell / viscose-based paper.

6. 5. The mouthpiece or filter element of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material is a nonwoven paper made from non-plastic plant-based fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch, or wood pulp) or a mixture of these materials.

7. A mouthpiece or filter element as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the filler layer containing the paper filtering material and / or other biodegradable filtering material is composed of multiple (i.e., two or more) sheets or layers of the paper filtering material and / or other biodegradable filtering material.

8. A mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wrapper engaged around the filler layer comprising the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material is a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 50 to 150 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 60 to 140 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 to 130 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 80 to 120 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 100 gsm, and / or wherein the wrapper (e.g. plug wrap) engaged around the filler layer comprising the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material is non-porous.

9. The mouthpiece or filter element is more than 90% biodegradable when measured according to ISO 14855-1 Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions - Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide, and / or the mouthpiece or filter element is more than 90% biodegradable when measured according to OECD 301B "Ready to compost" method.

5. The mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, having a "Ready Biodegradability" level of biodegradability as measured according to the "Ready Biodegradability" method (modified Sturm test).

10. 5. The mouthpiece or filter element of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the mouthpiece or filter element is between 5 and 50 mm, such as between 10 and 30 mm, for example between 8 and 24 mm, such as between 15 and 20 mm, for example between 18 mm, and / or the circumference of the mouthpiece or filter element is between 14 and 30 mm, for example between 16 and 25 mm, for example between 24 and 25 mm.

11. 5. A smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, e.g., a heated tobacco product, e.g., an HNB product), comprising a mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or a filter comprising the mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the filter being joined to a wrapped tobacco rod with one end of the filter facing the tobacco rod.

12. A multi-segment filter comprising a mouthpiece or filter element according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and one or more separate further segments.

13. 1. A method for making a mouthpiece or filter element, comprising: gathering and securing the sheets of paper to form a longitudinally extending hollow tube; longitudinally advancing two or more sheets of paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material; separating the two or more longitudinally advancing sheets of paper and / or other readily biodegradable filtration material; gathering or wrapping (e.g., spirally wrapping) longitudinally advancing separated sheets of paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material around the longitudinally extending hollow tube to form a packing layer comprising the paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material engaged about the hollow tube; gathering and securing a wrapper (e.g., plug wrap) around the packing layer containing the paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material to form a continuous rod; cutting the continuous rod to form individual mouthpieces or filter elements; A method comprising:

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material is filter paper, nonwoven paper, airlaid paper, or cellulose / lyocell / viscose based paper.

15. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material is a nonwoven paper made from non-plastic plant-based fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch, or wood pulp) or a mixture of these materials.

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