Active paper

Abstract

1. A multi-segment filter comprising a first filter segment and a second filter segment, the first filter segment comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising an embossed paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material having a particulate additive embedded therein, and the second filter segment comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising the paper filtration material or other biodegradable filtration material.

Description

[Technical field]

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

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

[0003] An alternative filter material to cellulose acetate is paper. Filters that include paper as a filter material are well known in the art. Paper filters offer many advantages over cellulose acetate filters in terms of enhanced biodegradability and higher filtration efficiency at a given pressure drop. However, they also have many disadvantages compared to cellulose acetate filters, for example, they can adversely affect the taste of cigarettes and reduce filter tightness. Furthermore, paper filters typically have poor retention of gas-phase components in smoke or vapor.

[0004] It is therefore desirable to provide filters for smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, tobacco heating products, non-combustion heating products) that have improved biodegradability compared to conventional materials such as cellulose acetate, and that provide acceptable filtration characteristics, particularly with respect to gas phase components in smoke or vapor. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a multi-segment filter comprising a first filter segment and a second filter segment, wherein the first filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising an embossed paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material having a particulate additive embedded therein, and the second filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising the paper filtration material or other biodegradable filtration material.

[0006] The embossed paper filter material and / or embossed other biodegradable filter material of the first and / or second filter segments of the present invention are biodegradable and have improved biodegradability compared to cellulose acetate. Thus, the present invention provides a multi-segment filter with improved biodegradability and is therefore more environmentally friendly and more compliant with EU legislation.

[0007] The term "biodegradable" refers to a filtration material, filter segment, or multi-segment filter capable of exhibiting at least 90% biodegradability after six 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 biodegradable filtration material, filter segment, or multi-segment filter is "readily biodegradable". The phrase "readily biodegradable" refers to the ability of the filtration material, filter segment, or multi-segment filter to rapidly degrade and completely biodegrade when immersed in water. Preferably, the filtration material, filter segment, or multi-segment filter has a "Ready Biodegradability" level of biodegradability as measured according to the OECD 301B "Ready Biodegradability" method (modified Sturm test), which is well known in the art. The term "readily biodegradable" is understood herein to mean a "readily biodegradable" level of biodegradability.

[0009] Applicants have discovered that a multi-segment filter (e.g., for smoking articles such as cigarettes, tobacco heating products, HNB products, etc.) comprising a first filter segment and a second filter segment, the first filter segment comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising an embossed paper filtration material and / or other embossed biodegradable filtration material having a particulate additive embedded therein, and the second filter segment comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core of paper filtration material or other biodegradable filtration material, provides excellent filtration performance while also being biodegradable.

[0010] In one example, the embossed paper filtration material and / or embossed other biodegradable filtration material (having particulate additive embedded therein) of the first filter segment is assembled into a rod form and secured in place by a wrapper (e.g., a paper wrapper, e.g., plug wrap) engaged about the rod (e.g., by an overlapping and laminating seam, as is well known in the art).

[0011] The wrapper may be a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 25 to 140 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 40 to 120 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 50 to 100 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 60 to 80 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 gsm.

[0012] The wrapper (e.g., a paper wrapper, e.g., plug wrap) may be non-porous, or the wrapper (e.g., a paper wrapper, e.g., plug wrap) may be breathable or air permeable, having an air permeability of from 0 to 32,000 Coresta units.

[0013] The particulate additive may be activated carbon (e.g., activated carbon granules), zeolite, ion exchange resin (e.g., weakly basic anion exchange resin), sepiolite (e.g., sepiolite granules), silica gel, alumina, molecular sieves, carbonaceous polymer resins, and diatomaceous earth. The particulate additive may be a mixture of two or more of these additive materials.

[0014] The inclusion of a particulate additive (e.g., activated carbon) in the filter or filter segments of a multi-segment filter can remove (i.e., adsorb) gas phase components in the smoke or vapor from a smoking article, thereby improving the filtration performance of the filter.

[0015] Advantageously, applicants have found that the inclusion of particulate additives (e.g., activated carbon) embedded in embossed paper filtration materials and / or embossed other biodegradable filtration materials improves the filtration performance of the multi-segment filters of the present invention compared to standard activated acetate filters (i.e., activated carbon on cellulose acetate tow) and compared to filters containing paper impregnated with activated carbon (e.g., carbon-impregnated paper). Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that a certain amount of plasticizers present in cellulose acetate filters (i.e., for fiber bonding and to increase filter stiffness) are absorbed by the activated carbon (or other particulate additives). This can reduce the ability of the particulate additives to absorb gas-phase components in smoke or vapor, resulting in reduced filtration efficiency. Thus, the absence of plasticizers and / or other additives (e.g., adhesives, binders, or polymers) that can be adsorbed by the particulate additives can improve the filtration performance of the multi-segment filters of the present invention.

[0016] The particulate additive may have a mesh size ranging from 12 to 90. Preferably, the particulate additive is a mesh size of 30 / 70 or a mesh size of 40 / 60. It will be readily understood that mesh size is defined as the number of openings in one square inch of the screen. It will further be understood that a mesh size of 30 / 70 means particles smaller than 30 mesh and larger than 70 mesh, and a mesh size of 40 / 60 means particles smaller than 40 mesh and larger than 60 mesh. Applicants have found that a particulate additive with a mesh size of 30 / 70 is particularly suitable for application to paper filtration materials and / or other biodegradable filtration materials, while also providing desirable adsorption properties (i.e., adsorbing gas phase components).

[0017] The particulate additive is embedded in the embossed paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material. In one example, the particulate additive may be embedded in the embossed paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material without the use of adhesives and / or binders and / or polymers.

[0018] Applicants have found that by embedding a particulate additive (e.g., activated carbon) into a paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material, rather than, for example, impregnating the particulate additive into paper pulp or using carbon-impregnated paper, higher additive loadings, and therefore improved filtration performance, can be achieved. Furthermore, Applicants have found that embedding a particulate additive can prevent particles from being released and falling out of place during use of a multi-segment filter (e.g., in a smoking article), thus providing a more enjoyable experience for the smoker.

[0019] The particulate additive may include flavorings such as menthol, peppermint, fruit, berry, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, etc. In one example, the additive may be sepiolite granules to which a menthol flavoring has been applied.

[0020] The multi-segment filter may further include a liquid additive. The liquid additive may remove (i.e., adsorb) gas-phase components in the smoke or vapor of the smoking article, thereby improving the filtration performance of the multi-segment filter. Alternatively, the liquid additive may be 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., menthol, peppermint, fruit, berry, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, etc., with a suitable carrier, such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, other oils).

[0021] The inclusion of a flavor enhancing additive can overcome the "paper taste" sensation typically associated with paper filters and, when used in smoking articles (e.g., cigarettes, e.g., tobacco heating products, e.g., HNB products), can provide sensory characteristics similar to those from smoking articles filtered with cellulose acetate.

[0022] The loading of the particulate additive may be 1 to 6 mg / mm (e.g., 1 mg / mm, e.g., 2 mg / mm, e.g., 3 mg / mm, e.g., 4 mg / mm, e.g., 5 mg / mm, e.g., 6 mg.mm). Preferably, the loading of the additive is 5 mg / mm.

[0023] The (embossed) paper filter material and / or the (embossed) other biodegradable filter material of the first and / or second filter segments may be paper (in any form) conventionally used in filters for smoking articles. The paper may be, for example, standard paper, nonwoven paper, airlaid paper, carbon-impregnated paper (i.e. for higher additive loading), 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 blends of these materials.

[0024] Applicants have found that standard or nonwoven paper filtration materials are particularly suitable for the first and / or second filter segments because they have excellent filtration properties while also being biodegradable. Furthermore, Applicants have found that equivalent particulate additive loadings can be achieved when the additive is embedded in standard or nonwoven paper compared to when the additive is applied to a standard cellulose acetate filter.

[0025] Additionally, multi-segment filters of the present invention that include a second filter segment that includes a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core of paper filtration material or other biodegradable filtration material may have a higher retention of tar, nicotine, and gas-phase components in smoke or vapor than standard cellulose acetate filters or filters that include cellulose acetate.

[0026] The (embossed) paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material of the first and / or second filter segments may be comprised of multiple (i.e., two or more) sheets of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material.

[0027] The paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material of the first filter segment is embossed. The paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material of the second filter segment may be embossed. The applicants have found that when particulate additives are embedded in an embossed sheet of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material, high additive loadings and, as a result, good filtration performance can be achieved. Furthermore, embedding additives in an embossed sheet of paper filtration material and / or embossed other biodegradable filtration material can prevent particulate additives from being released and falling off during use of the multi-segment filter. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the embossed surface of the paper filtration material and / or the embossed other biodegradable filtration material may provide suitable surface properties for particulate additives to be embedded. Thus, the embossed surface may help achieve high additive loadings with minimal additive shedding.

[0028] Applicants have also found that embossed paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material having particulate additives embedded therein readily assembles into rods to form uniformly assembled rods of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration material.

[0029] The first and / or second filter segments may include one or more capsules (e.g., frangible capsules) containing an additive therein. The additive may be a particulate additive such as activated carbon (see above). The capsule(s) may contain a variety of media, such as, for example, flavorants and / or liquid, solid, or other material additives, for example, to aid in the filtration of smoke. The use of capsules is well known in the art.

[0030] The second filter segment may comprise a longitudinally extending hollow tube of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable material.

[0031] Preferably, the length of the first and / or second filter segment is from 10 to 40 mm, for example, from 12 to 35 mm, for example, from 15 to 30 mm, for example, from 18 to 25 mm.

[0032] Preferably, the length of the multi-segment filter is 10 to 50 mm, for example, 12 to 40 mm, for example, 15 to 30 mm, for example, 18 to 24 mm.

[0033] Preferably, the circumference of the multi-segment filter is from 14 to 30 mm, for example, from 16 to 25 mm, for example, from 24 to 25 mm.

[0034] Preferably, the multi-segment filter has a "Ready Biodegradability" level of biodegradability as measured according to the OECD 301B "Ready Biodegradability" method (modified Sturm test).

[0035] Preferably, the multi-segment filter is at least 90% biodegradable after six months when measured according to ISO 14855-1.

[0036] A multi-segment filter (e.g., for smoking articles such as cigarettes, tobacco heating products, HNB products, etc.) may be free of cellulose acetate. The (embossed) paper filtration material and / or the (embossed) other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing) filtration material of the first and / or second filter segments may be free of cellulose acetate.

[0037] The first filter segment and the second filter segment may abut one another end-to-end.

[0038] A multi-segment filter may include a wrapper (e.g., a paper wrapper, e.g., plug wrap) engaged around the first and second filter segments, the wrapper joining the first and second filter segments together in longitudinal spaced or abutting alignment.

[0039] The wrapper is a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 25 to 140 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 40 to 120 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 50 to 100 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 60 to 80 gsm, such as a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 gsm.

[0040] The wrapper (e.g., a paper wrapper, e.g., plug wrap) may be non-porous, or the wrapper (e.g., a paper wrapper, e.g., plug wrap) may be breathable or air permeable, having an air permeability of from 0 to 32,000 Coresta units.

[0041] It will be appreciated that a multi-segment filter according to the present invention may comprise one or more separate additional segments (e.g., of an HNB mouthpiece, e.g., filter element). A multi-segment filter structure could be two, three, four, or more separate segments. The separate additional segments may be (e.g., cylindrical) plugs of filtration material as described above (e.g., paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable filtration materials), which may include capsules, carbon, CPS, tubes, acetate, paper, menthol, etc., and / or (e.g., cylindrical) rods of tobacco (e.g., tobacco of any form, including reconstituted tobacco).

[0042] In one example, a multi-segment filter according to the invention may comprise a first filter segment, a second filter segment, and a third filter segment, where the first filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising an embossed paper filtration material and / or other embossed biodegradable filtration material having a particulate additive embedded therein, the second filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core of paper filtration material or other biodegradable filtration material, and the third filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core of paper filtration material or other biodegradable filtration material, optionally embossed.

[0043] It will be appreciated that the embossed paper filter material and / or embossed other biodegradable filter material of the first filter segment (with the particulate additive embedded therein) may be assembled into the form of a rod and secured in place (e.g., by a lapped seam, as known in the art) by a wrapper (e.g., a paper wrapper, e.g., plug wrap) engaged about the rod, as described above. It will further be appreciated that the first, second, and third filter segments may be joined together in longitudinally spaced apart or abutting alignment by wrappers engaged about the first, second, and third filter segments. The first filter segment may abut end-to-end with the second filter segment at one end and end-to-end with the third filter segment at the other end. Alternatively, the second filter segment may abut end-to-end with the first filter segment at one end and end-to-end with the third filter segment at the other end.

[0044] According to the present invention, there is provided a smoking article (e.g. a cigarette, e.g. a tobacco heating product, e.g. an HNB product) comprising a multi-segment filter as described herein and in the claims below, or a multi-segment filter comprising a multi-segment filter as described herein and in the claims below, wherein the multi-segment filter is joined (i.e. by tipping paper) to a wrapped tobacco rod with one end of the multi-segment filter facing the tobacco rod.

[0045] Preferably, the first filter segment of the multi-segment filter faces the tobacco rod and the second filter segment is the mouth end segment. This configuration can prevent the particulate additive from being released and falling off during use of the smoking article, thus providing a more enjoyable experience for the smoker.

[0046] It will be appreciated that a smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, e.g., a tobacco heating product, e.g., an HNB product) may comprise one or more separate further segments as described above (e.g., an HNB mouthpiece, e.g., a filter element). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0047] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a multi-segment filter according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a multi-segment filter according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a smoking article according to the present invention, including a multi-segment filter according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a smoking article according to the present invention, including a multi-segment filter according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a multi-segment filter 100 having a length of 30 mm and a circumference of 24 mm and comprising two segments 101 and 104. Segment 101 comprises a longitudinally extending core of embossed airlaid nonwoven paper 103 embedded with activated carbon granules 102 (4.9 mg / mm) and is 20 mm long and 24 mm in circumference. Segment 104 abuts segment 101 and comprises a longitudinally extending core of hemp paper 104 and is 10 mm long and 24 mm in circumference.

[0049] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a multi-segment filter 200 having a length of 30 mm and a circumference of 24 mm and comprising two segments 201 and 204. Segment 201 is 20 mm long and 24 mm in circumference and comprises a longitudinally extending core of embossed airlaid nonwoven paper 203 embedded with activated carbon granules 202 (4.9 mg / mm) and a wrapper 205 of 100 gsm basis weight engaged around the core. Segment 204 abuts segment 201 and comprises a longitudinally extending core of hemp paper 204 and is 10 mm long and 24 mm in circumference. Segment 204 is joined to segment 201 by a wrapper 207 (not shown) of 120 gsm basis weight paper plug wrap engaged around both segments.

[0050] Figures 3 and 4 show schematic diagrams of a cigarette 300 having a length of 100 mm and a circumference of 24 mm. The cigarette 300 includes a cylindrical plug of reconstituted tobacco 306 and a multi-segment filter 200, as shown in Figure 2. The plug of reconstituted tobacco 306 is 70 mm long and 24 mm in circumference and is abutted and joined to the multi-segment filter 200 at the ends of the segments 201 by tipping paper (not shown).

[0051] It will be appreciated that the multi-segment filters 100 and 200 may be fabricated by methods well known in the art.

[0052] [Example 1] The biodegradability of (embossed) paper filtration materials and / or (embossed) other biodegradable filtration materials of the first and / or second filter segments of the multi-segment filter of the present invention was compared to the biodegradability of the known cellulose acetate.

[0053] Biodegradability was 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. This test provides a measure of the biodegradability of a material (expressed as a percentage) over a period of 180 days under optimal oxygen, temperature and humidity conditions.

[0054] Table 1 shows the biodegradability results for monoacetate filters, airlaid paper filters (Genia), wood pulp paper filters, and hemp paper filters compared to standard cellulose acetate (CA) filter rods when tested according to the method of ISO 14855-1. Filters were either purchased or made according to methods well known in the art.

[0055] [Table 1]

[0056] Table 1 shows that wood pulp paper and hemp paper have the highest biodegradability of all filtration materials. In addition, airlaid paper (Genia) also shows good biodegradability compared to CA. Table 1 also shows that filters including wood pulp paper, hemp paper, and airlaid paper (Genia) also have comparable hardness (i.e., firmness) compared to monoacetate filters.

[0057] Thus, the (embossed) paper filtration material and / or other (embossed) biodegradable filtration materials of the first and / or second filter segments of the multi-segment filter of the present invention are biodegradable and degrade faster and more extensively than cellulose acetate.

[0058] The present invention includes subject matter described in the following numbered paragraphs. 1. A multi-segment filter comprising a first filter segment and a second filter segment, the first filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) filtration material to which an additive (e.g., a particulate additive, e.g., activated carbon) is applied; A multi-segment filter in which the second filter segment includes a longitudinally extending (eg, substantially cylindrical) core of paper filtration material or other biodegradable (eg, non-cellulose acetate) filtration material. 2. A multi-segment filter as described in paragraph 1, wherein the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) filtration material of the first filter segment is assembled in the form of a rod and secured in place by a wrapper (e.g., paper, e.g., plug wrap) engaged about the rod. 3. A multi-segment filter according to paragraph 2, wherein the wrapper is a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 25 to 140 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 40 to 120 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 50 to 100 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 60 to 80 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 gsm. 4. The multi-segment filter of paragraphs 2 or 3, wherein the wrapper is non-porous. 5. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 2 to 4, wherein the wrapper is breathable or air permeable and has an air permeability of 0 to 32,000 Coresta units. 6. The multi-segment filter of any of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the additive is a particulate additive. 7. The multi-segment filter of paragraph 6, wherein the particulate additive is activated carbon (e.g., activated carbon granules), zeolite, ion exchange resin (e.g., weakly basic anion exchange resin), sepiolite (e.g., sepiolite granules), silica gel, alumina, molecular sieves, carbonaceous polymer resin, diatomaceous earth, or a mixture of two or more of these additives. 8. A multi-segment filter according to paragraph 6 or 7, wherein the particulate additive is of a mesh size in the range of 12 to 90 (e.g. mesh size 30 / 70, e.g. mesh size 40 / 60). 9. The multi-segment filter of any of paragraphs 6-8, wherein the particulate additive is embedded in a paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) filtration material. 10. The multi-segment filter of any of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the additive is a liquid additive. 11. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 1 to 10, wherein the additive loading is 1 to 6 mg / mm (e.g., 1 mg / mm, for example, 2 mg / mm, for example, 3 mg / mm, for example, 4 mg / mm, for example, 5 mg / mm, for example, 6 mg.mm). 12. The multi-segment filter of any of paragraphs 1-11, wherein the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material of the first and / or second filter segments is a standard paper, a non-woven paper, an airlaid paper, a carbon impregnated paper (i.e., for higher additive loading), or a cellulose / lyocell / viscose based paper. 13. The multi-segment filter of any of paragraphs 1-12, wherein the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material of the first and / or second filter segments is a non-woven paper made from non-plastic plant-based fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch, or wood pulp), or blends of these materials. 14. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 1 to 13, wherein the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing) filtration material of the first and / or second filter segments is comprised of a plurality (i.e., two or more) sheets of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing) filtration material. 15. The multi-segment filter of any of paragraphs 1-14, wherein the paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate containing) filtration material of the first filter segment is embossed. 16. The multi-segment filter of any of paragraphs 1-15, wherein the first and / or second filter segments include one or more capsules (e.g., frangible capsules) having the additive contained therein. 17. The multi-segment filter of any of paragraphs 1-16, wherein the second filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending hollow tube of paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable (e.g., non-cellulose acetate) material. 18. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 1 to 17, wherein the length of the multi-segment filter is 10 to 50 mm, such as 12 to 40 mm, for example 15 to 30 mm, for example 18 to 24 mm. 19. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 1 to 18, wherein the circumference of the multi-segment filter is between 14 and 30 mm, such as between 16 and 25 mm, for example between 24 and 25 mm. 20. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 1 to 19, wherein the multi-segment filter has a "Ready Biodegradability" level of biodegradability as measured according to the OECD 301B "Ready Biodegradability" method (modified Sturm test). 21. The multi-segment filter of any of paragraphs 1-20, wherein the first filter segment and the second filter segment are abutted against one another in an end-to-end manner. 22. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 1 to 21, wherein the multi-segment filter comprises a wrapper engaged around the first filter segment and the second filter segment, the wrapper joining the first filter segment and the second filter segment together in longitudinal spaced apart or abutting alignment. 23. A multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 1 to 22, comprising one or more separate further segments. 24. A multi-segment filter as described in paragraph 23, wherein one or more separate further segments are segments comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g. substantially cylindrical) core of paper filtration material or other biodegradable (e.g. non-cellulose acetate) filtration material. 25. A smoking article (e.g. a cigarette, e.g. a tobacco heating product, e.g. an HNB product) comprising a multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 1 to 24, or a multi-segment filter comprising a multi-segment filter according to any of paragraphs 1 to 24, wherein the smoking article or multi-segment filter is joined (i.e. by tipping paper) to a wrapped tobacco rod with an end of the first filter segment facing the tobacco rod.

Claims

1. 1. A multi-segment filter comprising a first filter segment and a second filter segment, the first filter segment includes a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core including an embossed paper filtration material and / or other embossed biodegradable filtration material having a particulate additive embedded therein; A multi-segment filter, wherein the second filter segment includes a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising a paper filtration material or other biodegradable filtration material.

2. 10. The multi-segment filter of claim 1, wherein the embossed paper filtration material and / or the embossed other biodegradable filtration material of the first filter segment is gathered in the form of a rod and secured in place by a wrapper (e.g., paper, e.g., plug wrap) engaged around the rod.

3. 3. A multi-segment filter according to claim 2, wherein the wrapper is a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 25 to 140 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 40 to 120 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 50 to 100 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 60 to 80 gsm, for example a paper (e.g. plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 gsm.

4. 3. The multi-segment filter of claim 2, wherein the wrapper is non-porous and / or the wrapper is breathable or air permeable, with an air permeability of 0 to 32,000 Coresta units.

5. 5. The multi-segment filter of claim 1, wherein the particulate additive is activated carbon (e.g., activated carbon granules), zeolite, an ion exchange resin (e.g., a weakly basic anion exchange resin), sepiolite (e.g., sepiolite granules), silica gel, alumina, a molecular sieve, a carbonaceous polymer resin, diatomaceous earth, or a mixture of two or more of these additives, and / or the particulate additive is of a mesh size in the range of 12 to 90 (e.g., mesh size 30 / 70, e.g., mesh size 40 / 60).

6. 5. The multi-segment filter of claim 1, wherein the loading of the particulate additive is 1 to 6 mg / mm (e.g., 1 mg / mm, for example, 2 mg / mm, for example, 3 mg / mm, for example, 4 mg / mm, for example, 5 mg / mm, for example, 6 mg.mm), and / or the embossed paper filtration material and / or the embossed other biodegradable filtration material of the first filter segment and / or the second filter segment is standard paper, nonwoven paper, airlaid paper, carbon impregnated paper (i.e., for higher additive loading), or cellulose / lyocell / viscose-based paper.

7. 5. The multi-segment filter of claim 1, wherein the embossed paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material of the first and / or second filter segments is a nonwoven paper made of non-plastic plant-based fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, jute, sisal, abaca, coconut, bamboo, starch, or wood pulp) or a blend of these materials, and / or the embossed paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material of the first and / or second filter segments is composed of multiple (i.e., two or more) sheets of the embossed paper and / or other biodegradable filtration material.

8. 5. The multi-segment filter of claim 1, wherein the first filter segment and / or the second filter segment comprises one or more capsules (e.g., frangible capsules) containing an additive therein, and / or the second filter segment comprises a longitudinally extending hollow tube comprising paper filtration material and / or other biodegradable material.

9. 5. A multi-segment filter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the multi-segment filter is 10 to 50 mm, for example 12 to 40 mm, for example 15 to 30 mm, for example 18 to 24 mm, and / or the circumference of the multi-segment filter is 14 to 30 mm, for example 16 to 25 mm, for example 24 to 25 mm.

10. 5. The multi-segment filter of claim 1, wherein the multi-segment filter has a "Ready Biodegradability" level of biodegradability as measured according to the OECD 301B "Ready Biodegradability" method (modified Sturm test), and / or the multi-segment filter exhibits at least 90% biodegradability after 6 months as measured according to ISO 14855-1.

11. 5. A multi-segment filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the first filter segment and the second filter segment are abutted against each other end-to-end.

12. 5. The multi-segment filter of claim 1, wherein the multi-segment filter comprises a wrapper engaged around the first filter segment and the second filter segment, the wrapper joining the first filter segment and the second filter segment together in longitudinal spaced apart or abuttingly aligned fashion.

13. 10. A multi-segment filter according to claim 1, comprising one or more separate further segments.

14. 14. The multi-segment filter of claim 13, wherein the one or more separate further segments are segments comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising paper or other biodegradable filtration material, optionally embossed.

15. A smoking article (e.g., a cigarette, e.g., a tobacco heating product, e.g., an HNB product) comprising the multi-segment filter of any one of claims 1 to 4, or a multi-segment filter comprising the multi-segment filter of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the smoking article or multi-segment filter is joined to the wrapped tobacco rod (i.e., by tipping paper) with an end of the first filter segment facing the tobacco rod.

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