Sustainable filters or filter elements

Abstract

A filter (1) for use in an aerosol-generating article, the filter comprising a first segment and a second segment constituting a longitudinally extending core, the first segment (3) comprising a first filtering material and the second segment (7) comprising a second filtering material having a pressure drop of 0.1 to 0.5 mmWG per mm of its length, the filter further comprising a wrapper (11) encasing the longitudinally extending core, the first filtering material and the second filtering material comprising paper and / or other biodegradable material.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides a sustainable filter or filter element for use with aerosol-generating articles such as tobacco heating products, heat-not-burn (HNB) products, or heated tobacco products (HTP). [Background technology]

[0002] Tobacco heating products or heat-not-burn (HNB) products (also known as heated tobacco products or HTP products) are well known. The concept of a tobacco heating product is that tobacco is heated to a specific temperature (e.g., 350°C) without combustion. This is thought to deliver a nicotine-containing vapor, and heating without combustion avoids the production of combustion products that are harmful to the consumer.

[0003] Tobacco heating products, or HNB or HTP products, may include an improved tobacco plug and other mouthpiece elements wrapped in a paper plugwrap to provide a cigarette-like appearance. In one such product, a reconstituted tobacco plug, a rolled hollow acetate tube, a rolled PLA [poly(lactic acid)] plug, and a conventional rolled acetate segment (at the mouth end) are wrapped in white paper. During use, the product is inserted tobacco end first into the device. The tobacco plug contains a metal strip that can be heated by induction when inserted into the device, allowing the product to be "smoked" by the consumer. The function of the "filter" in these products is very different from that of a cigarette filter, the primary function of which is to provide the appearance and feel of a cigarette and also to cool the vapor to a temperature acceptable to the consumer. In the above-mentioned products, it is the PLA portion that performs the key cooling function and, therefore, can be considered the cooling element.

[0004] The use of materials such as PLA in cooling elements is known, and more recently, the use of cellulose acetate in cooling elements has become known, as discussed in WO 2021 / 074222.

[0005] However, cellulose acetate and PLA are not readily biodegradable. As a result, aerosol-generating article components such as cellulose acetate, including filter and cooling elements, can persist in the environment for many years. For this reason, and in light of new EU legislation coming into effect in 2021 (aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastics such as cellulose acetate filters), there is growing interest in filters and filter elements that are free of single-use plastics and readily biodegradable.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a filter or filter element that has improved biodegradability over conventional materials such as cellulose acetate, while providing acceptable cooling and filtering properties for vapors in HTP products. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a filter (e.g., a biodegradable filter, e.g., a readily biodegradable filter) for use in an aerosol-generating article (e.g., a filter for a tobacco heating product and / or an HNB / HTP product), the filter comprising a first segment and a second segment forming a longitudinally extending core (e.g., cylindrical), the first segment comprising a first filtering material, and the second segment having a pressure drop of 0.1 to 0.5 mmWG per mm of its length (e.g., 0.15 to 0.45 mmWG per mm of its length, e ... The filter further comprises a wrapper (e.g., a filter wrapper) surrounding the longitudinally extending core, and the first and second filtering materials comprise paper and / or other biodegradable materials. Preferably, the second filtering material has a pressure drop of 0.2 to 0.3 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., 0.21 to 0.29 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., 0.22 to 0.25 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., 0.23 mmWG per mm of length), and the filter further comprises a wrapper (e.g., a filter wrapper) surrounding the longitudinally extending core, and the first and second filtering materials comprise paper and / or other biodegradable materials. Preferably, the second filtering material has a pressure drop of 0.2 to 0.3 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., 0.21 to 0.29 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., 0.22 to 0.25 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., 0.23 mmWG per mm of length.

[0008] In some examples of filters, the first segment is longitudinally spaced from the second segment such that the wrapper defines a cavity between the first and second segments.

[0009] The first segment may be formed from paper (e.g., Puracel FM26, Puracel FM36, and / or Greenbutts) and / or other biodegradable material gathered laterally into a rod shape and held in place (e.g., by a wrapper, e.g., a first segment wrapper). It will be understood that the first segment may have a wrapper (e.g., a first segment wrapper) that holds the filtering material in a predetermined shape (e.g., in the form of a core, e.g., in the form of a rod or a plug). This wrapper (e.g., a first segment wrapper) is separate from the wrappers (e.g., filter wrappers) engaged around the first and second segments. It will be understood that if a wrapper (e.g., a first segment wrapper) for the first segment is present, the wrapper (e.g., filter wrapper) enclosing the first and second segments is wrapped around the first segment wrapper (e.g., first segment wrapper) and the first segment itself.

[0010] The second segment may be formed from paper (e.g., uncoated paper, coated paper, siliconized paper, e.g., ZNP paper) and / or other biodegradable material gathered laterally into a rod form (e.g., held in place by a wrapper, e.g., second core wrapper). The second segment may be formed from paper (e.g., uncoated paper, coated paper, siliconized paper, e.g., ZNP paper) and / or other biodegradable material gathered laterally into a rod form (e.g., held in place by a wrapper, e.g., second segment wrapper) and having a width of 20 to 250 mm, e.g., 151 to 250 mm, e.g., 180 to 220 mm, e.g., 200 mm. It will be appreciated that the second segment may have a wrapper (e.g., second segment wrapper) that holds the filtering material in a predetermined shape (e.g., in a core form, e.g., in a rod form or in a plug form). This wrapper (e.g., the second segment wrapper) is separate from the wrappers (e.g., the filter wrapper) engaged around the first and second segments, for example. It will be understood that if a wrapper (e.g., the second segment wrapper) for the second segment is present, the wrapper (e.g., the filter wrapper) engaged around the first segment is wrapped around the wrapper (e.g., the second segment wrapper) of the second segment as well as the second segment itself.

[0011] Applicants have surprisingly found that filters according to embodiments of the present invention combine biodegradability ("readily biodegradable") with a thermal profile and / or aerosol chemical delivery comparable to marketed products that use cellulose acetate and PLA. Additionally, Applicants have found that filters of the present invention are adaptable to provide customizable designs to match desired aerosol chemical delivery profiles.

[0012] Preferably, the wrapper (e.g., filter wrapper) defines a longitudinal cavity within the longitudinally extending core between the first and second segments. Applicant has found that this allows the aerosol to mix with air, thereby reducing the temperature of the aerosol. The filter wrapper may be paper (e.g., plug wrap), preferably having a basis weight of 20 to 160 gsm (e.g., plug wrap), for example, a paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 24 to 150 gsm (e.g., plug wrap), for example, a paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 to 150 gsm (e.g., plug wrap), for example, a paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 to 140 gsm (e.g., plug wrap).

[0013] Preferably, the wrapper (e.g., filter wrapper) provides a venting means. Preferably, the venting means is provided by one or more perforations in the wrapper (e.g., filter wrapper). Preferably, the venting means is aligned with the cavity. Applicant has found that venting allows outside air to enter the cavity, which can help reduce the aerosol temperature.

[0014] Preferably, the second segment has a density of 0.18 to 0.28 g / cm 3 , for example, 0.19 to 0.26 g / cm 3 , for example, 0.2 to 0.25 g / cm 3 , e.g., 0.211 g / cm 3 The paper has a density of .

[0015] The first filtering material may comprise readily biodegradable paper and / or other biodegradable materials. The second filtering material may comprise readily biodegradable paper and / or other biodegradable materials. Preferably, each of the first filtering material and the second filtering material comprises readily biodegradable paper and / or other biodegradable materials.

[0016] The term "biodegradable" refers to filtering materials and filtering elements that are capable of exhibiting at least 90% biodegradation after 6 months under controlled composting conditions (see ISO 14855-1 Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions - Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide).

[0017] Preferably, the paper and / or other biodegradable materials (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing materials) used in the filtering material(s) of the filters of the present invention are "readily biodegradable" and have improved biodegradability compared to cellulose acetate. Thus, the present invention provides elements with improved biodegradability, and are therefore more environmentally friendly and more compliant with EU legislation.

[0018] The phrase "ready biodegradable" refers to the filtering material and the ability of the filter to rapidly disintegrate and completely biodegrade when immersed in water. Preferably, the elements have 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 phrase "ready biodegradable" is understood herein to mean a "Ready Biodegradability" level of biodegradability.

[0019] The paper and / or other biodegradable materials (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering materials) are preferably readily biodegradable. The paper and / or other biodegradable materials (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering materials) can be composed of any paper (in any form) conventionally used in filters or filter elements. The paper can be, for example, various grades of filter paper, apertured paper, crepe paper, airlaid paper, or machine-glazed paper. The fibers of the paper and / or other biodegradable materials (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering materials) can be natural fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, sisal, jute, abaca, cotton, coconut fiber, bamboo fiber, starch (e.g., from corn), or tobacco) or any roll material. The paper can be woven or nonwoven, and can be in the form of a coherent web of paper, or in the form of a longitudinally corrugated and / or fibrillated web of paper, for example, laterally gathered and held in the form of plugs. The paper and / or other biodegradable material (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering material) may be in the form of a coherent web comprising a first paper and / or other biodegradable material (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering material) and a second paper and / or other biodegradable material (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering material). The paper and / or other biodegradable material (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering material) may be in the form of a blend of different paper materials and / or other biodegradable materials (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering materials). The paper filtering material may have the same or similar structure as papers sold under the trade names Myria® or Puracel® (manufactured by Essentra plc). The paper may be coated with a hydrophobic coating or material.

[0020] The hydrophobic coating / hydrophobic material, when present, may be any suitable hydrophobic material. For example, the hydrophobic coating / hydrophobic material may be a polymer or a blend of polymers. Preferably, the hydrophobic coating / hydrophobic material is a starch, such as a modified starch, e.g., oxidized starch (E1404). Starches, such as modified starches, are preferred because they are inert and provide a non-plasticizing hydrophobic coating. The hydrophobic coating / hydrophobic material may be present in an amount of 0.01% to 50% by weight (w / w), based on the weight of the element, such as 0.01% to 20% w / w, for example, 0.1% to 20% w / w, for example, 5% to 20% w / w, for example, 10% to 20% w / w, for example, 0.1% to 10% w / w, for example, 0.1% to 5% w / w, for example, 0.5% to 2.5% w / w.

[0021] Coated papers according to the present invention are produced by methods known in the art. The hydrophobic coating can be applied to the paper by any of the standard coating methods known in the art.

[0022] The first filtering material may include readily biodegradable paper and / or other biodegradable materials. The first filtering material may include paper and / or other biodegradable materials as described in the paragraph above. In some examples, the first filtering material includes Puracel FM26, Puracel FM36, and / or Greenbutts.

[0023] The second filtering material may include readily biodegradable paper and / or other biodegradable materials. The second filtering material may include paper and / or other biodegradable materials as described above. In some examples, the second filtering material includes uncoated paper, coated paper, and / or siliconized paper.

[0024] Preferably, the first filtering material comprises paper having a basis weight of 20 gsm to 200 gsm. For example, the paper may have a basis weight of 40 gsm to 180 gsm, such as 60 gsm to 160 gsm, for example, 80 gsm to 140 gsm, for example, 100 gsm to 120 gsm, such as 20 gsm to 60 gsm, for example, 30 gsm to 40 gsm.

[0025] Preferably, the second filtering material comprises paper having a basis weight of 20 gsm to 200 gsm. For example, the paper may have a basis weight of 40 gsm to 180 gsm, such as 60 gsm to 160 gsm, for example, 80 gsm to 140 gsm, for example, 100 gsm to 120 gsm, such as 20 gsm to 60 gsm, for example, 30 gsm to 40 gsm.

[0026] Preferably, the length of the element is 18 to 60 mm (eg, 20 to 30 mm, such as 21 to 24 mm, such as 25 to 40 mm, such as 28 mm).

[0027] Preferably, the first segment has a length of 3 mm to 18 mm (eg, 6 mm to 12 mm, eg, 8 mm to 10 mm).

[0028] Preferably, the second segment has a length of 5 mm to 30 mm (eg, 8 mm to 25 mm, eg, 10 mm to 20 mm).

[0029] Preferably, the cavity has a length of 3 mm to 18 mm (eg, 6 mm to 12 mm, eg, 8 mm to 10 mm).

[0030] The filter of the present invention may be cylindrical. Preferably, the circumference of the filter (if cylindrical) is 12 to 30 mm (e.g., 15 to 28 mm), more preferably 17 to 25 mm (e.g., 18 to 25 mm, e.g., 20 to 24 mm, e.g., 22 to 24 mm, e.g., 23 mm, e.g., 22.45 mm).

[0031] Preferably, the longitudinally extending (eg, cylindrical) core is of uniform axial cross-section (eg, circular).

[0032] Preferably, filters (e.g., filters for tobacco heating products and / or HNB or HTP products) have a substantially circular cross-section, meaning that the filter is substantially cylindrical in shape. However, filters of the present invention may be of any shape. For example, filters may have a circular or elliptical cross-section, or a square or rectangular cross-section.

[0033] The wrapper (e.g., filter wrapper) enclosing the first segment and the second segment may be paper (e.g., plug wrap), preferably paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 20 to 160 gsm, for example, paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 24 to 150 gsm, for example, paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 to 150 gsm, for example, paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 80 to 140 gsm. Preferably, the wrapper (e.g., filter wrapper) enclosing the first segment and the second segment is biodegradable, more preferably readily biodegradable.

[0034] The wrapper for the first segment (e.g., first segment wrapper) (if present) and / or the wrapper for the second segment (e.g., second segment wrapper) (if present) may be paper (e.g., plug wrap). The paper may be paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 20 to 160 gsm, for example, paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 24 to 150 gsm, for example, paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 0 to 150 gsm, for example, paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 80 to 140 gsm. Preferably, the wrapper for the first segment (e.g., first segment wrapper) (if present) and the wrapper for the second segment (e.g., second segment wrapper) (if present) are biodegradable, more preferably readily biodegradable. The wrapper for the first segment (e.g., first segment wrapper) and the wrapper for the second segment (e.g., second segment wrapper) may be made from the same material or from different materials.

[0035] In one example, the filter of the present invention is 28 mm long and includes a first segment that is 12 mm long, a second segment that is 8 mm long, and an 8 mm long cavity between the first and second segments, an example of which is shown in accompanying Figure 1.

[0036] In another example, a filter of the present invention is 28 mm long and includes a first segment that is 8 mm long, a second segment that is 10 mm long, and a 10 mm long cavity between the first and second segments.

[0037] In a further example, a filter of the present invention is 28 mm long and includes a first segment that is 10 mm long, a second segment that is 8 mm long, and an 8 mm long cavity between the first and second segments.

[0038] In a further example, a filter of the present invention is 28 mm long and includes a first segment that is 8 mm long and a second segment that is 20 mm long.

[0039] It will be understood that the filters of the present invention can be used in any multi-segment filter or consumable. A multi-segment filter may include one, two, three, four, or more additional separate segments. The additional separate segments may be (e.g., cylindrical) plugs of tobacco smoke filtering material (e.g., paper) and / or hollow (e.g., paper) tube filters. A multi-segment filter may be attached to a tobacco plug (which can be made from any form of tobacco, including reconstituted). A multi-segment filter may also include other filter segments, including capsule-containing filters, carbon-containing filters, CPS filters, tube filters, paper filters, menthol-containing filters, etc.

[0040] It will be appreciated that filters or filter elements according to the present invention may be manufactured by methods and machines well known in the art.

[0041] According to the present invention, there is provided a filter element comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core having a pressure drop of 0.1 to 0.5 mmWG per mm of length (e.g., a pressure drop of 0.2 to 0.3 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., a pressure drop of 0.21 to 0.29 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., a pressure drop of 0.22 to 0.25 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., a pressure drop of 0.23 mmWG per mm of length), the longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprising a filtering material comprising paper and / or other biodegradable material (e.g., a non-cellulose acetate-containing material), and optionally a wrapper surrounding the longitudinally extending core. Preferably, the longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core has a pressure drop of 0.2 to 0.3 mmWG per mm of length, such as a pressure drop of 0.21 to 0.29 mmWG per mm of length, for example a pressure drop of 0.22 to 0.25 mmWG per mm of length, for example a pressure drop of 0.23 mmWG per mm of length. In examples, the longitudinally extending core is formed from paper and / or other biodegradable material that is gathered laterally into the form of a rod and held in place (e.g., by a wrapper). The longitudinally extending core is formed from paper (e.g., uncoated paper, coated paper, siliconized paper, e.g., ZNP paper) and / or other biodegradable material, laterally gathered into a rod and held in place (e.g., by a wrapper) and having a width of 20-250 mm, e.g., 150-250 mm, e.g., 151-250 mm, e.g., 180-220 mm, e.g., 200 mm. The filter element provides an airflow path and / or a cooling effect (e.g., for aerosols drawn through the longitudinally extending core and / or any filter containing the filter element). As used herein, it will be understood that the terms "element" or "filter element" refer to any discrete segment that may be used in a filter or aerosol-generating article. The element may be a cooling element and / or provide an airflow path.As used herein, the term "cooling element" will be understood to refer to a discrete segment that provides a significant cooling function, i.e., the function of reducing the temperature of an aerosol or vapor as it passes along the length of the element.

[0042] As used herein, the term "biodegradable" refers to filtering materials and filter elements that can exhibit at least 90% biodegradation after six months under controlled composting conditions (see 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 paper and / or other biodegradable materials (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing materials) used in the filtering material of the filter element of the present invention are "easily biodegradable" and have improved biodegradability compared to cellulose acetate. Thus, the present invention provides filter elements with improved biodegradability, which are therefore more environmentally friendly and more compliant with EU legislation.

[0043] As used herein, the phrase "ready biodegradable" refers to filtering materials and filtering elements that can rapidly disintegrate and completely biodegrade when immersed in water. Preferably, the elements have 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 phrase "ready biodegradable" is understood herein to mean a "Ready Biodegradability" level of biodegradability.

[0044] The paper and / or other biodegradable materials (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering materials) are preferably readily biodegradable. The paper and / or other biodegradable materials (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering materials) can be composed of any paper (in any form) conventionally used in filters or filter elements. The paper can be, for example, various grades of filter paper, apertured paper, crepe paper, airlaid paper, or machine-glazed paper. The fibers of the paper and / or other biodegradable materials (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering materials) can be natural fibers (e.g., flax, hemp, sisal, jute, abaca, cotton, coconut fiber, bamboo fiber, starch (e.g., from corn), or tobacco) or any roll material. The paper can be woven or nonwoven, and can be in the form of a coherent web of paper, or in the form of a longitudinally corrugated and / or fibrillated web of paper, for example, laterally gathered and held in the form of plugs. The paper and / or other biodegradable material (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering material) may be in the form of a coherent web comprising a first paper and / or other biodegradable material (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering material) and a second paper and / or other biodegradable material (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering material). The paper and / or other biodegradable material (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering material) may be in the form of a blend of different paper materials and / or other biodegradable materials (e.g., non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering materials). The paper filtering material may have the same or similar structure as papers sold under the trade names Myria® or Puracel® (manufactured by Essentra plc).

[0045] The filtering material may comprise readily biodegradable paper and / or other biodegradable materials. The filtering material may comprise paper and / or other biodegradable materials as described above. In some examples, the filtering material comprises uncoated paper, coated paper, and / or siliconized paper. Preferably, the filtering material comprises paper having a basis weight of 20 gsm to 200 gsm. For example, the filtering material may be paper having a basis weight of 40 gsm to 180 gsm, e.g., 60 gsm to 160 gsm, e.g., 80 gsm to 140 gsm, e.g., 100 gsm to 120 gsm, e.g., 20 gsm to 60 gsm, e.g., 30 gsm to 40 gsm. The filter element of the present invention may be cylindrical. The filter element of the present invention may be cylindrical with a circumference of 12 to 30 mm (e.g., 15 to 28 mm), more preferably 17 to 25 mm (e.g., 18 to 25 mm, e.g., 20 to 24 mm, e.g., 22 to 24 mm, e.g., 23 mm, e.g., 22 mm, e.g., 22.45 mm).

[0046] The wrapper (e.g., core wrapper) engaged around the longitudinally extending core may be paper (e.g., plug wrap), preferably paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 20 to 160 gsm, for example, paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 24 to 150 gsm, for example, paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 to 150 gsm, for example, paper (e.g., plug wrap) having a basis weight of 70 to 140 gsm. Preferably, the wrapper (e.g., core wrapper) engaged around the longitudinally extending core is biodegradable, more preferably readily biodegradable.

[0047] The filter element (and longitudinally extending core) may be 5 to 50 mm in length, such as 17 to 35 mm, such as 20 to 30 mm, such as 28 mm.

[0048] The paper and / or other biodegradable material (eg, non-cellulose acetate-containing filtering material) of the longitudinally extending core may be coated with a hydrophobic coating or material, as described above.

[0049] It will be understood that the filter element of the present invention can be used in any multi-segment filter or consumable. The filter structure may be two, three, four, or more separate segments. The separate additional segments may be (e.g., cylindrical) plugs of tobacco smoke filtering material (e.g., paper) and / or hollow (e.g., paper) tube filters. The multi-segment filter may be attached to a tobacco plug (which can be made from any form of tobacco, including reconstituted). The multi-segment filter may also include other filter segments, including capsule-containing filters, carbon-containing filters, CPS filters, tube filters, paper filters, menthol-containing filters, etc.

[0050] It will be appreciated that filters or filter elements according to the present invention may be manufactured by methods and machines well known in the art.

[0051] According to a further aspect, the present invention provides an aerosol-generating article (eg, a cigarette, eg, a tobacco heating product, HNB or HTP product) comprising a filter or filter element according to any aspect of the present invention.

[0052] The filters or filter elements of the present invention are suitable for use with any type of tobacco blend.

[0053] In an aerosol-generating article according to the present invention, a filter of the present invention (or a filter comprising a filter element of the present invention) may be joined to a rolled plug of tobacco (e.g., an improved tobacco rolled plug, as is well known in the art). The filter of the present invention (or a filter comprising a filter element of the present invention) may be joined to the rolled tobacco plug so that a (second) segment having a pressure drop of 0.1 to 0.5 mmWG per mm of its length, for example, 0.2 to 0.3 mmWG per mm of its length (e.g., 0.23 mmHG per mm), is adjacent to the tobacco plug. The filter may be joined to the rolled tobacco plug by ring tipping (i.e., an outer wrapper (e.g., tipping paper) that engages only around the adjacent ends of the rolled filter and tobacco plug, leaving much of the filter wrap exposed). The filter may be joined to the rolled tobacco plug by full tipping overlap (i.e., an outer wrapper (e.g., tipping paper) that engages around the entire length of the rolled filter and the adjacent ends of the tobacco plug). The wrapper (e.g., filter wrapper) may be ventilated, for example, by laser drilling. The venting may be applied to the wrapper (e.g., filter wrapper) before or after the filter is joined to the wound tobacco plug. The venting may be aligned (applied to the wrapper) with cavities (if present) in the filter.

[0054] Tobacco heating products and / or HNB or HTP products or HTPs according to the present invention may further comprise one or more separate additional segments (e.g., of an HNB or HTP mouthpiece), which may be a (e.g., cylindrical) plug of tobacco smoke filtering material (e.g., paper), a (e.g., cylindrical) rod of tobacco (e.g., tobacco of any form (including reconstituted tobacco)), a hollow (e.g., paper) tube, a capsule-containing filter, a carbon-containing filter, a CPS filter, a tube filter, an acetate filter, a paper filter, a menthol-containing filter, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0055] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of an HNB or HTP product according to the present invention, including a filter element according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a graphical representation of how the temperature at the mouth end of an HTP product changes as a puff is taken when the HTP product contains Filter A according to the present invention, compared to a reference product, TEREA Regular.

[0056] 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a filter for use in an aerosol-generating article (e.g., a tobacco heating product and / or an HNB or HTP product). Filter 1 is cylindrical, 28 mm in length and 22.45 mm in circumference.

[0057] At its mouth end 2, the filter 1 includes a first segment 3 having a length of 12 mm and a circumference of 22.45 mm. The first segment 3 is gathered transversely into a plug and held in place with a first segment wrapper 4 of non-porous plug wrap weighing 78 gsm (manufactured by Mudanjiang Hengfeng Paper Co., Ltd., Mundanjiang, China) made of Puracel FM26 paper (300 mm Puracel® FM26 g / m 2 It is formed from a plug of first filtering material in the form of a sheet of SWM (manufactured by Essentra plc).

[0058] The filter 1 also includes a second segment 7 spaced longitudinally from the first segment 3 at a distance of 8 mm. The second segment 7 has a circumference of 22.45 mm and a length of 8 mm. The second segment 7 includes a plug of second filtering material in the form of a 200 mm wide sheet of ZNP paper (obtained from PT Bukit Muria Jaya (BMJ) in West Java, Indonesia) gathered transversely into a rod and held in place with a second segment wrapper 9 of 78 gsm non-porous plug wrap (manufactured by Mudanjiang Hengfeng Paper Co., Ltd. in Mundanjiang, China). The second segment has a pressure drop of 0.23 mmWG per mm of its length.

[0059] Weight 78g / m 2 An additional filter wrapper 11 of stiff plug wrap (manufactured by Mudanjiang Hengfeng Paper Co., Ltd., Mundanjiang, China) encases wound segments 3 and 7, defining an 8 mm long cavity 13 between wound segments 3 and 7. Both ends of filter wrapper 11 are flush with the ends of wound segments 3 and 7. Filter wrapper 11 has overlapping longitudinal edges coated with adhesive, which provide overlapping and glued seams (not shown) that hold filter wrapper 11 around wound segments 3 and 7, and additional adhesive in anchor lines (not shown) aligned with wound segments 3 and 7 to hold the segments in place.

[0060] First segment 3 and second segment 7, their respective first segment wrappers 4 and second segment wrappers 9, and filter wrapper 11 are all made of paper materials and are all "readily biodegradable," meaning that filter 1 (and the materials therein) are capable of rapidly disintegrating and completely biodegrading when immersed in water, and have 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.

[0061] Applicants have surprisingly found that filters such as Filter 1 combine biodegradability ("readily biodegradable") with a thermal profile and / or aerosol chemical delivery comparable to marketed products that use cellulose acetate and PLA (see Example 1 below). Additionally, Applicants have found that the filters of the present invention are adaptable to provide customizable designs to match desired aerosol chemical delivery profiles.

[0062] It will be appreciated that filter 1 may be made by methods known in the art and may be prepared as multiple (e.g., 2, 4, 6, etc.) filters or multiple rods, including filter rods joined together end-to-end.

[0063] At the end opposite the mouth end 2, the filter 1 may be joined by methods well known in the art to a wrapped plug of improved tobacco containing a metal element for induction heating. A suitable plug of reconstituted tobacco containing a metal element for induction heating is 12 mm long and has a circumference of 22 mm. Such reconstituted tobacco plugs are well known in the art. The filter and tobacco plug together form an HTP containing the filter 1 of the present invention.

[0064] In use, the tobacco plug end of an HTP containing the filter 1 of the present invention is inserted into the HTP device. The plug is heated during use by a heating device (HTP device) to generate vapor, as is well known in the art. This produces hot vapor, which is drawn first through the second segment 7, through the cavity 13, and through the first segment 3 to the smoker's mouth (i.e., the mouth end). Drawing this hot vapor through the second segment 7, with a pressure drop of 0.23 mmWG per mm of its length, into the cavity 13 and mixing with air is believed to have a cooling effect (e.g., on the aerosol drawn through the second segment and / or filter) that cools the vapor to a temperature acceptable to the user. The second segment 7 provides an airflow path for the vapor.

[0065] experiment A 28 mm long HTP according to the present invention as shown with reference to Figure 1, comprising a 12 mm long first segment (FM26 paper), an 8 mm long second segment (ZNP paper), and an 8 mm long cavity between the first and second segments, was attached to a plug of reconstituted tobacco containing a metal element for induction heating by methods well known in the art to provide a test HTP, designated Test Example ZCP111541.

[0066] The reference product, TEREA Regular, contained a plug of reconstituted tobacco containing a metal element for induction heating, an 8 mm regular acetate tube (tobacco end), a 12 mm monoacetate filter at the mouth end, and an 8 mm thin-walled hollow acetate tube between the regular acetate tube and the monoacetate filter, in a configuration similar to that of Figure 1.

[0067] The HTP test example was compared with the TEREA Regular reference product as follows: Each HTP product was inserted into a heating device. The mouth end of the HTP product was inserted into a smoking machine configured to smoke the HTP. An IR camera was used to analyze the temperature of the mouth end of the product while it was being smoked. The smoking machine was configured to take a puff on the product every 30 seconds, with each puff lasting 2 seconds. The temperature at the mouth end of the product was measured for each puff. The experiment was conducted at standard room temperature and humidity. The experiment was repeated for each example product, i.e., ZCP111541, and the reference product, TEREA Regular.

[0068] Figure 2 shows the mouth end temperature for each puff of ZCP111541 compared to the reference product TEREA Regular. The figure demonstrates that the paper-based ZCP111541 of the present invention can provide cooling effectiveness comparable to that of conventional cooling elements, while offering the significant advantage of being readily biodegradable.

[0069] The temperature change and nicotine yield of the example HTP product ZCP111541 and the reference product TEREA Regular in a conventional heating device (HNB device) were measured by methods well known in the art (ISO 3308:2012 Routine analytical cigarette-smoking machine-Definitions and standard conditions). The results are shown in Table 1.

[0070] [Table 1]

[0071] Table 1 shows that filters and elements according to the present invention may provide improved biodegradability (because they do not contain, for example, PLA elements) while also providing a comparable thermal profile and / or comparable aerosol chemical delivery performance to conventional cooling elements (the benchmark).

Claims

1. 1. A filter for use in an aerosol-generating article, comprising: the filter comprises a first segment and a second segment forming a longitudinally extending core; the first segment includes a first filtering material; the second segment comprises a second filtering material having a pressure drop of 0.1 to 0.5 mmWG per mm of length (e.g., a pressure drop of 0.2 to 0.3 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., a pressure drop of 0.21 to 0.29 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., a pressure drop of 0.22 to 0.25 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., a pressure drop of 0.23 mmWG per mm of length); the filter further comprising a wrapper surrounding the longitudinally extending core; the first filtering material and the second filtering material comprise paper and / or other biodegradable materials; filter.

2. 10. The filter of claim 1, wherein the second segment is formed from paper and / or other biodegradable material gathered laterally into a rod and held in place (e.g., by a wrapper).

3. 3. The filter of claim 1, wherein the first segment is longitudinally spaced from the second segment such that the wrapper defines a longitudinal cavity within the longitudinally extending core between the first and second segments.

4. A filter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wrapper provides a venting means.

5. 5. The filter of claim 4, wherein said venting means is provided by one or more perforations in said wrapper that are aligned with said cavity.

6. The second segment has a density of 0.18 to 0.28 g / cm ３ , for example, 0.19 to 0.26 g / cm ３ , for example, 0.2 to 0.25 g / cm ３ , for example, 0.211 g / cm ３ 6. The filter according to claim 1, having a paper density of

7. The filter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the biodegradable material is readily biodegradable.

8. 8. A filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the second segment is formed from paper and / or other biodegradable material gathered laterally into a rod and held in place (e.g. by a wrapper) and having a width of 20 to 250 mm, for example 180 to 230 mm, for example 200 mm.

9. A filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the first segment has a length of between 3 mm and 18 mm, such as between 6 mm and 12 mm, for example between 8 mm and 10 mm.

10. A filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the second segment has a length of from 5 mm to 30 mm, such as from 8 mm to 25 mm, for example from 10 mm to 20 mm.

11. A filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the cavity has a length of from 3mm to 18mm, such as from 6mm to 12mm, for example from 8mm to 10mm.

12. A filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filter has a length of from 5mm to 60mm, such as from 10mm to 55mm, for example from 15mm to 30mm.

13. A filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the element has a circumference of between 12mm and 30mm, such as between 15mm and 28mm, for example between 17mm and 25mm.

14. 1. A filter element comprising a longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core having a pressure drop of 0.1 to 0.5 mmWG per mm of length (e.g., a pressure drop of 0.2 to 0.3 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., a pressure drop of 0.21 to 0.29 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., a pressure drop of 0.22 to 0.25 mmWG per mm of length, e.g., a pressure drop of 0.23 mmWG per mm of length), wherein the longitudinally extending (e.g., substantially cylindrical) core comprises a filtering material comprising paper and / or other biodegradable material (e.g., a non-cellulose acetate-containing material), and optionally a wrapper surrounding the longitudinally extending core. Filter element.

15. 15. The filter element of claim 14, wherein the longitudinally extending core is formed from paper and / or other biodegradable material gathered laterally into a rod and held in place (e.g., by a wrapper).

16. 16. A filter element according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the longitudinally extending core is formed from paper and / or other biodegradable material of 10 to 250 mm, such as 20 to 250 mm, for example 151 to 250 mm, such as 180 to 220 mm, for example 200 mm, gathered laterally into the form of a rod and held in place (for example by a wrapper).

17. 17. An aerosol-generating article (e.g. tobacco heating product, HNB product, HTP) comprising a filter according to any one of claims 1 to 13, or a filter comprising a filter element according to any one of claims 14 to 16, and optionally one or more further segments.

18. A tobacco heating product and / or an HNB product and / or an HTP comprising a filter according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a filter comprising a filter element according to any one of claims 14 to 16 and, optionally, one or more further segments.

19. Use of a filter according to any one of claims 1 to 13 or a filter comprising a filter element according to any one of claims 14 to 16 in tobacco heating products and / or HNB products and / or HTPs.

20. 3. A filter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to either Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the drawings.

Images