Environmentally friendly filters for biodegradable smoking articles

Abstract

The present invention provides a filter for smoking articles and a smoking article containing the same. The filter for the smoking article contains lyocell tow containing lyocell fibers, and is characterized in that it has a biodegradation degree of 80% or more after 3 months (12 weeks) under industrial composting conditions of 58°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% humidity as defined in EN 13432, and the biodegradation degree is defined by the following formula. D = {(m1 - m2) / m1} * 100 (Here, D is the degree of biodegradation (%), m1 is the initial weight of the smoking article filter (g), and m2 is the weight of the upper residue on the standard sieve after the specified period (g).)

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly filter for smoking articles having excellent biodegradability and disintegration properties under industrial composting conditions, and a smoking article including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Cellulose acetate tow is a material made by reacting sulfuric acid and acetic acid with cellulose, and is a material that has undergone chemical modification. Cellulose acetate (CA) tow used in the production of existing tobacco filters is applied with a plasticizer to improve the hardness of the filter. When a filter is manufactured using cellulose acetate tow, the binding force between the fibers in the tow increases due to the applied plasticizer, improving the hardness of the filter. However, there is a problem that cellulose acetate filters manufactured using a plasticizer are difficult to meet the analysis passing criteria such as industrial composting conditions.

[0003] On the other hand, lyocell tow (L-tow) does not deform the structure of cellulose through a chemical reaction like cellulose acetate tow, but is a material made by dissolving cellulose in an environmentally friendly solvent called NMMO (NMethylmorpholine N-Oxide) in the form of a fiber bundle. Lyocell tow is an eco-friendly material whose main component is cellulose. In the case of a filter manufactured using this, there is a problem that the hardness is low because there is no plasticizer that can enhance the binding force between the fibers in the tow. Conventionally, a synthetic binder has been applied to improve the problem of low hardness.

[0004] On the other hand, when a synthetic binder is applied to lyocell tow (L-tow), a predetermined hardness is imparted, but there is a problem that the biodegradation degree decreases under industrial composting conditions and the biodegradability decreases in the long term. Along with this, although a predetermined hardness is imparted to lyocell tow (L-tow), there is a need for a substance that can have excellent biodegradation degree under industrial composting conditions.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an environmentally friendly filter for smoking articles and a smoking article containing the said environmentally friendly filter, which improves phenol reduction performance by adding an additive that is a phenol-reducing substance to lyocell tow, and has excellent disintegrability under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432), thus improving biodegradability.

[0006] However, the problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those with ordinary skill in the relevant art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A filter for smoking articles according to one embodiment for solving the above problem contains lyocell tofu containing lyocell fibers, and after 3 months (12 weeks) under industrial composting conditions of 58°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% humidity, the biodegradation degree is 80% or more according to EN 13432, and the biodegradation degree is defined by the following mathematical formula.

[0008] [Mathematical formula] D = {(m1 - m2) / m1} * 100

[0009] (Here, D is the degree of biodegradation (%), m1 is the initial weight of the smoking article filter (g), and m2 is the weight of the upper residue on the standard sieve after the specified period (g).)

[0010] In some embodiments, the lyocelto may further contain additives dispersed in the lyocelto.

[0011] In some embodiments, the additive may include a phenol-reducing substance.

[0012] In some examples, the phenol reduction substance may include at least one of the following: an organic acid derivative having multiple ester groups; a polyhydric alcohol molecule derivative having multiple ester groups; a molecule in which multiple polyhydric alcohols are linked in sequence; or a molecule in which three or more polyhydric alcohols are linked in sequence.

[0013] In some examples, the phenol reduction substance may include at least one of polyethylene glycol (PEG), triethyl citrate (TEC), and triacetin (TA).

[0014] In some embodiments, the degree of biodegradation can be characterized by being 85% or higher.

[0015] In some embodiments, a filter wrapper enclosing the lyocellus can be further included.

[0016] In some embodiments, the filter wrapper can be characterized by being a non-porous wrapping paper having a basis weight of 20 gsm to 180 gsm.

[0017] In some embodiments, the filter wrapper can be characterized by being a non-porous wrapping paper having a basis weight of 70 gsm to 150 gsm.

[0018] In some embodiments, the hardness of the smoking article filter can be characterized as being 80% to 99%.

[0019] A smoking article according to one embodiment for solving the aforementioned other problems includes a smoking substance section and a filter for the smoking article located downstream of the smoking substance section, wherein the smoking article filter includes a lyocell tow containing lyocell fibers and a filter wrapper enclosing the filter section, and the biodegradation rate after 3 months (12 weeks) under industrial composting conditions of 58°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% humidity, as defined in EN 13432, is 80% or more, and the biodegradation rate is defined by the following mathematical formula.

[0020] [Mathematical formula] D = {(m1 - m2) / m1} * 100

[0021] (Here, D is the degree of biodegradation (%), m1 is the initial weight of the smoking article filter (g), and m2 is the weight of the upper residue on the standard sieve after the specified period (g).)

[0022] In some embodiments, the smoking article filter further comprises an additive dispersed on the lyocell, the additive may include at least one of polyethylene glycol (PEG), triethyl citrate (TEC), and triacetin (TA). [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to one embodiment of an environmentally friendly filter for smoking articles and a smoking article containing the same, by adding an additive that is a phenol-reducing substance to lyocell tow, the phenol reduction performance is improved, the hardness is excellent, and the biodegradability is excellent because it is highly biodegradable under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432).

[0024] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, but should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the invention as described in the detailed description or claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a drawing showing a schematic configuration of a smoking article according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] These are photographs taken of the state of a filter for a smoking article manufactured according to Example 1 of the present invention over time under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432). (a) is a photograph of the filter for a smoking article taken after 0 weeks, (b) after 4 weeks, (c) after 8 weeks, and (d) after 12 weeks. [Figure 3] These are photographs taken of the state of a filter for a smoking article manufactured according to Comparative Example 1 over time under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432). (a) is a photograph of the filter for a smoking article taken after 0 weeks, (b) after 4 weeks, (c) after 8 weeks, and (d) after 12 weeks. [Figure 4] These are photographs taken of the state of a filter for a smoking article manufactured according to Comparative Example 2 over time under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432). (a) is a photograph of the filter for a smoking article taken after 0 weeks, (b) after 4 weeks, (c) after 8 weeks, and (d) after 12 weeks. [Figure 5] These are photographs taken of the state of a filter for a smoking article manufactured according to Comparative Example 3 over time under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432). (a) is a photograph of the filter for a smoking article taken after 0 weeks, (b) after 4 weeks, and (c) after 12 weeks. [Figure 6] These are photographs taken of the state of a filter for a smoking article manufactured according to Comparative Example 4 over time under industrial composting conditions (EN<13432>). (a) is a photograph of the filter for a smoking article taken after 0 weeks, (b) after 4 weeks, and (c) after 12 weeks.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] It should be noted that there may be some inaccuracies in the translation due to the complexity and potential errors in the original text. It is recommended to double-check with the original text for more accurate understanding.Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present disclosure, and how they are achieved, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the technical ideas of the present disclosure are not limited to the embodiments below and may be embodied in a variety of different forms, although the embodiments below are provided to complete the technical ideas of the present disclosure and to fully inform those who are ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains, and the technical ideas of the present disclosure are defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0027] In assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that, as far as possible, the same component will have the same reference numeral even if it is shown in other drawings. Furthermore, in describing this disclosure, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of this disclosure, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) are intended to be understood in a way that is common to a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Furthermore, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should not be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly defined otherwise. Terms used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. In this specification, singular nouns include plural nouns unless otherwise specified in the text.

[0029] Furthermore, in describing the components of this disclosure, terms such as 1st, 2nd, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. Such terms are merely for distinguishing a component from other components and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the component in question. Where it is stated that a component is “connected,” “joined,” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected to or connected to the other components, but that other components may also be “connected,” “joined,” or “connected” between each component.

[0030] As used in this disclosure, “comprises” and / or “comprising” does not imply that any of the components, stages, operations, and / or elements mentioned are excluded from the presence or addition of one or more other components, stages, operations, and / or elements.

[0031] First, let's clarify some of the terms used in this specification.

[0032] In this specification, “smoking article” may mean any product that is smokeable or capable of providing a smoking experience, whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. For example, a smoking article may include smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars, and cigarillos.

[0033] In this specification, “smoking material” may mean all types of substances that may be used in smoking articles.

[0034] In this specification, “upstream” or “upstream direction” may mean the direction away from the smoker’s mouth, and “downstream” or “downstream direction” may mean the direction away from the smoker’s mouth.

[0035] In this specification, “longitudinal direction” may mean the direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article.

[0036] Various embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0037] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Throughout the specification, "smoking articles" may mean items capable of generating aerosols, such as tobacco (rolled cigarettes) and cigars. Smoking articles may include aerosol-generating substances or aerosol-forming substrates. Furthermore, smoking articles may include solid materials based on tobacco raw materials, such as flat tobacco leaves, shredded tobacco, and reconstituted tobacco. Smoking substances may include volatile compounds.

[0039] Furthermore, throughout the specification, "upstream" or "upstream direction" means the direction away from the mouth of the user smoking the smoking article 1, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" means the direction towards the mouth of the user smoking the smoking article 1. For example, in the smoking article 1 shown in Figure 1, the smoking substance portion 10 is located upstream or in the upstream direction of the filter portion 20 included in the smoking article filter (or environmentally friendly filter for smoking articles, hereinafter referred to as "smoking article filter").

[0040] Furthermore, although this specification uses the example of a combustible cigarette as the smoking article 1, it is not limited to this, and the smoking article 1 may also be a heated cigarette used with an aerosol generating device (not shown), such as an e-cigarette device.

[0041] Referring to Figure 1, the smoking article 100 includes a smoking substance section 10, a filter section 20, a wrapping paper for the smoking substance section 30a, a wrapping paper for the filter section (30b, or filter wrapping paper), and a tip paper 40.

[0042] A filter for smoking items (or an environmentally friendly filter for smoking items) may include a filter section 20 and a filter section wrapper 30b that encloses the filter section 20. In the smoking item 100, the smoking substance section 10 is located upstream of the filter section 20.

[0043] The smoking material section 10 may be filled with a smoking material such as raw tobacco leaves, plate-shaped leaves, or a mixture of tobacco leaves and plate-shaped leaves. The processed smoking material may be filled into the smoking material section 10 in sheet form or in the form of shredded tobacco. The smoking material section 10 may have a long, rod-like shape, and its length, circumference, and diameter are not particularly limited, but may be adjusted to a size commonly used in the relevant art, taking into account the amount of smoking material to be filled, the user's preference, etc.

[0044] The smoking substance portion 10 may contain at least one aerosol generating substance from among glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. The smoking substance portion 10 may contain other additives such as flavoring agents, wetting agents, and / or acetate compounds. The aerosol generating substances and additives may be included in the smoking substance. The smoking substance portion 10 may be packaged by a smoking substance portion wrapper 30a.

[0045] The filter for smoking items may be positioned downstream of the smoking substance section 10. The filter section 20 of the filter for smoking items is positioned downstream of the smoking substance section 10 and will perform the role of a filter through which the aerosol substance generated in the smoking substance section 10 passes just before the user inhales it.

[0046] A filter portion 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include lyocell tow containing a plurality of lyocell fibers, and a phenol-reducing substance, and may also include additives dispersed in the lyocell tow. A smoking article filter containing the lyocell tow can replace all or part of the filter portion 20 of an existing smoking article, and when replacing only a part, the filter material used previously can be used together. Existing filter materials may include, for example, cellulose acetate filters and hollow tube filters.

[0047] In Figure 1, the filter section 20 is shown as a monofilter consisting of a single filter, but it is not limited to this. For example, the filter section 20 may be provided as a dual filter or triple filter, which has two or more filters, in order to increase the filtering efficiency.

[0048] In some embodiments, when the filter section 20 is provided as a dual filter or triple filter, one of the filters may be a filter (hereinafter referred to as a lyocell filter) in which lyocell fibers of the present invention are dispersed in lyocell tow and lyocell tow, and an additive containing a phenol-reducing substance is used, while the other filters may be cellulose acetate filters and / or paper filters.

[0049] The filter wrapper 30b encloses the filter section 20, thereby packaging the filter section 20. The filter wrapper 30b is a filter wrapping paper, and may be a porous or non-porous paper that can enclose the lyocellus in which the additive is dispersed, and maintain the cylindrical filter shape. The filter wrapper 30b may also be made from flax, wood pulp, etc., and it may be required that flammability and the taste of tobacco are maintained when burned.

[0050] Although not limited thereto, as described later, a non-porous hard wrapping paper may be applied to the filter wrapper 30b to complement the hardness of the filter section 20, which contains lyocell to which an additive containing a phenol-reducing substance is dispersed. However, without limitation thereto, a porous general wrapping paper may be applied to the filter wrapper 30b. The smoking article filter according to the present invention can have excellent biodegradability without a decrease in biodegradation rate, even when a non-porous hard wrapping paper is applied to the filter wrapper 30b to provide excellent hardness for the smoking article filter.

[0051] The smoking material portion 10, wrapped by the smoking material portion wrapper 30a, and the filter portion 20, wrapped by the filter portion wrapper 30b, can be joined together by tip paper 40. As shown in Figure 1, the tip paper 40 can be wrapped around at least a portion of the smoking material portion wrapper 30a (for example, a portion of the downstream area) and the outer casing of the filter portion wrapper 30b. In other words, at least a portion of the smoking material portion 10 and the filter portion 20 can be further wrapped and physically joined by tip paper 40.

[0052] In the following, we will describe in detail a filter for smoking articles according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] The present invention relates to a filter for a smoking article contained in a smoking article 100. One embodiment of the present invention provides a filter for a smoking article that includes a lyocell tow containing a plurality of lyocell fibers, an additive dispersed in the lyocell tow, and a filter wrapper 30b enclosing the lyocell tow, and can achieve a biodegradation degree of 80% or more after 3 months (12 weeks) under industrial composting conditions of 58°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% humidity as specified in EN 13432.

[0054] The lyocell fiber is an environmentally friendly fiber made from cellulose extracted from wood pulp. The lyocell bundle refers to a bundle formed by the cross-linking of adjacent lyocell fibers.

[0055] In some embodiments, lyocell fibers can have an irregular cross-section. An irregular cross-section is defined as a cross-section whose shape is not circular but includes multiple protrusions. For example, a cross-section with multiple protrusions extending from the center can be called an irregular cross-section.

[0056] In some embodiments, the lyocell fiber may have a Y-shaped cross section with three branched projections from the center, a cruciate cross section with four projections, a star-shaped cross section with five or more projections, or an O-shaped cross section, but is not limited thereto.

[0057] In some examples, the biodegradation degree of the smoking article filter after 3 months (12 weeks) under industrial composting conditions of 58°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% humidity, as per EN 13432, may be 80% or more, 81% or more, 82% or more, 83% or more, 84% or more, preferably 85% or more.

[0058] As will be explained later, the degree of biodegradation can be measured under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432) by measuring the initial weight (g) of the smoking material filter before it is introduced into the analysis laboratory (hereinafter referred to as "initial weight of the filter"), measuring the weight (g) of the residue in the upper layer of the standard sieve filtered through the standard sieve after the experimental period (3 months) (hereinafter referred to as "weight of the upper layer residue of the standard sieve after the period"), and dividing the difference between the initial weight of the filter and the weight of the upper layer residue of the standard sieve after the period by the initial weight of the filter. A detailed explanation of this will be given later.

[0059] In some embodiments, the additive may include a phenol-reducing substance. In one embodiment, the phenol-reducing substance may be a substance that can specifically reduce phenols generated during smoking.

[0060] In some examples, the phenol-reducing substance may be a substance comprising at least one of the following: an organic acid derivative having multiple ester groups, a polyhydric alcohol molecule derivative having multiple ester groups, a molecule in which multiple polyhydric alcohols are linked consecutively, or a molecule in which three or more polyhydric alcohols are linked consecutively. Preferably, the phenol-reducing substance may include at least one of polyethylene glycol (hereinafter referred to as "PEG"), triethyl citrate (hereinafter referred to as "TEC"), and triacetin (hereinafter referred to as "TA").

[0061] In some embodiments, the phenol-reducing substance may contain PEG, TEC, or both. However, it is not limited thereto, and the phenol-reducing functional substance added in addition to at least one of PEG, TEC, and TA is not limited as long as it is a substance that can reduce the amount of phenols generated during smoking.

[0062] In some embodiments, the additive containing the phenol-reducing substance may be uniformly dispersed in the lyocellus and distributed throughout the entire area of ​​the lyocellus constituting the filter section 20.

[0063] On the other hand, at least one of PEG, TEC, and TA, which are exemplary phenol-reducing substances according to one embodiment, performs a plasticizer function with respect to cellulose acetate fibers, but may not perform a plasticizer function with respect to lyocell fibers. Consequently, when at least one of PEG, TEC, and TA is included as a phenol-reducing substance, the lyocell fibers may not be plasticized by the phenol-reducing substance even though it is applied to the lyocell fibers.

[0064] A filter for smoking articles to which the lyocell tort is applied according to the present invention may have a superior effect in reducing phenols generated during smoking compared to a filter for smoking articles without the addition of a phenol-reducing substance, by including an additive containing at least one of PEG, TEC, or TA dispersed on the lyocell tort.

[0065] Furthermore, even though a phenol-reducing substance containing at least one of PEG, TEC, and TA is dispersed in the lyocell tofu, the phenol-reducing substance, which functions as a plasticizer for cellulose acetate fibers, does not perform a plasticizer action on lyocell fibers. Therefore, the smoking article filter according to the present invention does not experience a decrease in biodegradability and, consequently, may have excellent biodegradability.

[0066] The filter wrapper 30b may be positioned to enclose the filter section 20. The filter wrapper 30b may have a basis weight greater than a predetermined value and may be made of non-porous hard wrapping paper.

[0067] On the other hand, since the filter wrapper 30b is made of hard wrapping paper having a basis weight of a predetermined value or more, it not only functions as a packaging material that encloses the filter part 20 including the lyocell, but also performs the function of imparting a certain level of hardness or higher to the smoking article filter according to the present invention.

[0068] Specifically, when the filter portion 20 is composed of lyocell tow in which at least one phenol-reducing substance from PEG, TEC, and TA is dispersed, the plasticization of the lyocell fibers is not performed by the phenol-reducing substance, so the hardness of the lyocell tow may be lower compared to cellulose acetate tow. Accordingly, the hardness of the smoking article filter can be compensated for by applying a hard rolling paper having a basis weight of a predetermined value or higher to the filter portion wrapper 30b that encloses the filter portion 20. As a result, it is possible to provide a smoking article filter with excellent hardness while preventing the problem of reduced biodegradability that can occur when a synthetic polymer binder is applied to the lyocell tow to impart hardness to the lyocell filter by agglomerating, bonding, and adhering between the lyocell fiber bundles.

[0069] In some embodiments, the filter wrapper 30b may include wrapping paper having a basis weight of 20gsm-180gsm, 25gsm-175gsm, 35gsm-170gsm, 40gsm-160gsm, 50gsm-158gsm, 60gsm-155gsm, 70gsm-150gsm, or 75gsm-150gsm. By making the filter wrapper 30b a wrapping paper with a high basis weight, the filter wrapper 30b complements the hardness of the filter 20 containing lyocell to which phenol-reducing substances are dispersed, thereby ensuring that the hardness of the smoking filter is above a certain level and solving the problem of hardness reduction in smoking filters. Furthermore, as will be described later, even though the filter wrapper 30b is made of wrapping paper with a high basis weight, the phenol-reducing substance does not act as a plasticizer on the lyocell, so the biodisintegration rate of the smoking article filter can be excellent, at 80% or more, preferably 85% or more, under industrial compost conditions of 58°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% humidity, as per EN 13432.

[0070] In some embodiments, a smoking article filter including the filter portion 20 and the filter portion wrapper 30b enclosing the filter portion according to the present invention can have hardnesses of 80% to 99%, 83% to 98.5%, 85% to 98%, and 88% to 97.5%. The hardness of the smoking article filter is a numerical value that quantifies the degree to which the diameter of the smoking article filter is maintained when the smoking article filter is pressed with a certain level of force in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the smoking article filter, and may be a percentage value obtained by comparing the diameter of the smoking article filter before force is applied with the ratio of the diameter of the smoking article filter after force is applied.

[0071] The configuration of the present invention and its effects will be explained in more detail below through examples and comparative examples. However, these examples are provided to illustrate the present invention more specifically, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0072] Figure 2 shows photographs of the smoking article filter manufactured according to Example 1 of the present invention, taken over time under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432), with (a) being a photograph of the smoking article filter taken after 0 weeks, (b) after 4 weeks, (c) after 8 weeks, and (d) after 12 weeks. Figure 3 shows photographs of the smoking article filter manufactured according to Comparative Example 1, taken over time under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432), with (a) being a photograph of the smoking article filter taken after 0 weeks, (b) after 4 weeks, (c) after 8 weeks, and (d) after 12 weeks. Figure 4 shows the smoking article filter manufactured according to Comparative Example 2, taken over time under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432). Figure 5 shows photographs of the smoking filter taken over time under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432), with (a) being taken after 0 weeks, (b) after 4 weeks, (c) after 8 weeks, and (d) after 12 weeks. Figure 6 shows photographs of the smoking filter produced by Comparative Example 3 taken over time under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432), with (a) being taken after 0 weeks, (b) after 4 weeks, and (c) after 12 weeks.

[0073] Example 1 (L-filter TEC+PEG, 75gsm hard-wrapped paper) A mixture of 5.1 mg of TEC and 10.5 mg of PEG per lyocell toe length (mm) was sprayed onto lyocell toe. Then, the lyocell toe with the dispersed TEC and PEG mixture was wrapped in non-porous hard wrapping paper with a basis weight of 75 gsm to produce a filter for smoking articles with a length of 108 mm, a circumference of 24.2 mm, and a suction resistance of 300 mmWG to 450 mmWG.

[0074] Example 2 (L-filter TEC, 75gsm hard rolled paper) ) A filter for smoking articles was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that instead of a mixture of TEC and PEG, 15.6 mg of TEC per mm of lyocellus length was sprayed onto the lyocellus.

[0075] Example 3 (L-filter PEG, 75gsm hard-wrapped paper) A filter for smoking articles was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that instead of a mixture of TEC and PEG, 15.6 mg of PEG per mm of lyocellus length was sprayed onto the lyocellus.

[0076] Comparative Example 1 (L-filter Blank, 75gsm hard-wound paper) A filter for smoking items was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that no additive containing a phenol-reducing substance was added to the lyoceltau.

[0077] Comparative Example 2 (L-filter synthetic polymer binder, 75gsm hard wrapping paper) A filter for smoking articles was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a polyester-based synthetic polymer binder was added to the lyocell tocopherol at a concentration of 15%, with the binder solution having a concentration of 15%, at a concentration of 15% by weight relative to the weight of the lyocell tocopherol.

[0078] Experimental Example 1: Evaluation of Phenol Reduction Performance Smoking articles were manufactured using the filters for smoking articles described in Examples 1-3 and Comparative Example 1. Smoking conditions were HC conditions (Puff volume: 55 ml / Puff frequency: 30 s / Puff duration: 2 s / vent blocking). The smoke components were collected using a Cambridge filter pad (CFP) after smoking with a HAUNI LX20 manual (Linear type) cigarette smoking machine. 30 mL of 1% Acetic acid was added to the collected pad to extract the substances, then the mixture was stirred and filtered through a 0.45 μm PVDF syringe filter. The phenol and phenol-like smoke components in the smoke that passed through each smoking article filter were measured and analyzed using a Water Alliance HPLC-FLD analyzer. The results are shown in Table 1 below.

[0079] [Table 1]

[0080] As shown in Table 1 above, in Examples 1 to 3, which were produced using lyocell to which the phenol-reducing substance was dispersed, the amount of phenol components absorbed decreased, and the total amount of phenol components absorbed also decreased, compared to Comparative Example 1, in which the phenol-reducing substance was dispersed. Furthermore, the total amount of phenol substances absorbed decreased similarly in Examples 1 to 3, and it can be confirmed that the phenol reduction performance of Example 1, in which a mixture of TEC and PEG was added, and Example 3, in which PEG was added alone, was superior to that of Example 2, in which TEC was added alone.

[0081] Therefore, when manufacturing filters for smoking articles by dispersing an additive containing at least one of TEC and PEG on lyocell, it can be expected that there will be an advantage in improving the phenol reduction performance.

[0082] Experimental Example 2: Degree of biodegradation of lyocell filters under industrial composting conditions The experiment was conducted for 3 months (12 weeks) in an analytical chamber consisting of a 2L reaction vessel stored in a 300L chamber using the smoking article filters described in Example 1, Comparative Examples 1 and 2, under industrial composting conditions of EN 13432, with a temperature of 58°C and a humidity of 50%.

[0083] To confirm the biodegradability of Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2 over time, photographs of the smoking article filters of Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2 taken at different time points (weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12) are shown in Figures 2 to 4. The degree of biodegradation of the smoking article filters of Example 1, Comparative Example 1, and Comparative Example 2 after 12 weeks (3 months) was measured and is shown in Table 2.

[0084] The degree of biodegradation under the aforementioned industrial composting conditions can be measured by utilizing the principle that when a smoking article filter stored in an analytical laboratory disintegrates over time and is filtered using a standard sieve with a mesh size of 2 mm × 2 mm, if the degree of biodegradation is excellent, it will disintegrate into fragments smaller than 2 mm and will not be filtered by the standard sieve. Unless otherwise specified herein, a standard sieve may mean a sieve with a mesh size of 2 mm × 2 mm. Furthermore, satisfying the conditions under industrial composting conditions, EN 13432, may mean that 90% or more biodegradability is satisfied within a maximum of 12 weeks, and the amount of residue larger than 2 mm filtered by the standard sieve is less than 10%.

[0085] Specifically, the initial weight (g) of the smoking material filter before it was introduced into the analysis laboratory (hereinafter referred to as "initial filter weight") was measured, and the weight (g) of the residue in the upper layer of the standard sieve filtered through the standard sieve after the experimental period (3 months) was measured (hereinafter referred to as "weight of the upper layer residue of the standard sieve after the period"), and the degree of biodegradation under industrial composting conditions (EN 13432) was measured using the following mathematical formula 1, which divides the difference between the initial filter weight and the weight of the upper layer residue of the standard sieve after the period by the initial filter weight.

[0086] [Mathematical formula] D = {(m1 - m2) / m1} * 100

[0087] (Here, D is the degree of biodegradation (%), m1 is the initial weight of the filter (g), and m2 is the weight of the upper residue of the standard sieve after the specified period (g).)

[0088] [Table 2]

[0089] As shown in Table 2 above, the biodegradation rate of Example 1, in which an additive containing a phenol-reducing substance was applied to lyocellto, was 85%, which is significantly higher than the 70% biodegradation rate of Comparative Example 2, in which a synthetic polymer binder was applied to lyocellto, demonstrating a substantial increase in biodegradation rate under industrial compost conditions. Furthermore, while the biodegradation rate of Example 1 decreased compared to Comparative Example 1, in which no additive for hardness improvement or phenol reduction was applied to lyocellto, the rate of decrease was not significant.

[0090] Furthermore, referring to Figures 2 to 4, it can be confirmed that in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, after 12 weeks (3 months), the filter state has undergone biological disintegration and is in the form of powder rather than cylindrical shape, while in Comparative Example 2, after 12 weeks (3 months), the rate of biological disintegration has maintained the initial shape of the filter and it is not in the form of powder.

[0091] These results confirm that when additives containing phenol-reducing substances are applied to lyoceltau, there is not only the advantage of improved phenol reduction performance, but also the effect of preventing the problem of reduced comparative biodegradation when polymer binders are applied.

[0092] Comparative Example 3 (L-filter synthetic polymer binder, 21gsm general-purpose wrapping paper) A filter for smoking articles was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 2, except that the wrapping paper used to enclose the lyocell tofu was a porous general-purpose wrapping paper with a basis weight of 21 gsm instead of a non-porous hard wrapping paper with a basis weight of 75 gsm.

[0093] Comparative Example 4 (CA-filter synthetic polymer binder, 21gsm general-purpose paper) A filter for smoking articles was manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 3, except that cellulose acetate tow was used instead of lyocell tow, and TEC was applied to the cellulose acetate tow as a plasticizer at 7 wt% relative to the filter weight.

[0094] Experiment Example 3: Comparison of biodegradation rates of lyocell filters and cellulose acetate filters under industrial composting conditions. Using the same method as in Experimental Example 2, Comparative Examples 3 and 4 were placed in the analysis laboratory, and the experiment was conducted for 3 months (12 weeks) under industrial composting conditions EN 13432, with a temperature of 58°C and a humidity of 50%. Photographs of the state of the smoking article filters taken at different stages of the experiment (weeks 0, 4, and 12) are shown in Figures 5 and 6, respectively. The degree of biodegradation of the smoking article filters for each comparative example after 12 weeks (3 months) was measured and is shown in Table 3.

[0095] [Table 3]

[0096] As shown in Table 3 above, it can be confirmed that the degree of biodegradation of the smoking item filter is significantly higher in Comparative Example 3, which is a lyocell filter, compared to Comparative Example 4, which is a cellulose acetate filter. Therefore, it can be expected that the biodegradability of the smoking item filter may also improve due to the significantly higher degree of biodegradation.

[0097] Furthermore, referring to Figures 5 and 6, it can be seen that, compared to the state of the filter in Comparative Example 3, which was fitted with a lyocell filter, after 12 weeks (3 months), the state of the filter in Comparative Example 4, which was fitted with a cellulose acetate filter, after 12 weeks (3 months) generally maintained its initial shape due to the slower progression of biodegradation.

[0098] Therefore, since Comparative Example 3, a lyocell filter with a synthetic polymer binder added and a general-purpose wrapping paper applied, exhibits significantly superior biodegradation compared to Comparative Example 4, a cellulose acetate filter with a synthetic polymer binder added and a general-purpose wrapping paper applied, it can be predicted that Example 1, which exhibits significantly superior biodegradation compared to Comparative Example 2, a lyocell filter with a synthetic polymer binder added and a hard wrapping paper applied, will exhibit superior biodegradation compared to Comparative Example 4.

[0099] Experimental Example 4: Comparison of biodegradation degree under industrial compost conditions using filter wrapping paper. Table 4 below shows a comparison of the degree of biodegradation of Comparative Examples 2 and 3 under the industrial composting conditions EN 13432, which were measured earlier.

[0100] [Table 4]

[0101] As shown in Table 4 above, it can be confirmed that the degree of biodegradation of the lyocell filter with added synthetic polymer binder is the same in Comparative Example 2 and Comparative Example 3, regardless of the basis weight of the filter wrapping paper. In other words, even when hard wrapping paper is used to wrap the lyocell tow in order to compensate for the hardness of the lyocell filter, it can be expected that the hard wrapping paper will not cause a decrease in the biodegradation of the filter for smoking items.

[0102] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, a person with ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains will understand that this disclosure may be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical idea or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood in all respects as illustrative and not limiting. The scope of protection of this disclosure should be interpreted as defined by the following claims, and all technical ideas within an equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the technical idea as defined by this disclosure.

Claims

1. Contains lyocell fibers, including lyocell toe. Under industrial composting conditions of 58°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% humidity, EN 13432 showed a biodegradation degree of 80% or more after 3 months (12 weeks). The aforementioned degree of biodegradation is defined by the following mathematical formula 1, for a filter for smoking items. [Mathematical formula 1] D={(m １ -m ２ ) / m １ }*100 (Here, D is the degree of biodegradation (%), m １ This is the initial weight (g) of the filter for smoking items, m ２ This is the weight (g) of the upper residue of the standard sieve after the specified period.

2. The filter for smoking articles according to claim 1, further comprising an additive dispersed in the lyocelto.

3. The filter for smoking articles according to claim 2, wherein the additive contains a phenol-reducing substance.

4. The phenol reduction substance comprises at least one of the following: an organic acid derivative having multiple ester groups; a polyhydric alcohol molecule derivative having multiple ester groups; a molecule in which multiple polyhydric alcohols are linked in succession; and a molecule in which three or more polyhydric alcohols are linked in succession, as described in claim 3, for use in smoking articles.

5. The phenol-reducing substance comprises at least one of polyethylene glycol (PEG), triethyl citrate (TEC), and triacetin (TA), as described in claim 3, for use in smoking articles.

6. The filter for smoking articles according to claim 1, characterized in that the degree of biodegradation is 85% or more.

7. The filter for smoking articles according to claim 1, further comprising a filter wrapper that encloses the lyocell toe.

8. The filter for smoking articles according to claim 7, characterized in that the wrapper of the filter portion is a non-porous wrapping paper having a basis weight of 20 gsm to 180 gsm.

9. The filter for smoking articles according to claim 7, characterized in that the wrapper of the filter portion is a non-porous wrapping paper having a basis weight of 70 gsm to 150 gsm.

10. The filter for smoking articles according to claim 9, characterized in that the hardness of the filter for smoking articles is 80% to 99%.

11. Smoking substance section, and Includes a filter for smoking articles located downstream of the smoking substance section, The aforementioned filter for smoking articles is Lyocell tow containing lyocell fibers, and Including the filter wrapper that encloses the filter section, Under industrial composting conditions of 58°C ± 2°C and 50% ± 2% humidity, EN 13432 showed a biodegradation degree of 80% or more after 3 months (12 weeks). The aforementioned degree of biodegradation is defined by the following mathematical formula 2: Smoking items. [Mathematical formula 2] D={(m １ -m ２ ) / m １ }*100 (Here, D is the degree of raw disintegration (%), m １ is the initial weight (g) of the filter for the smoking article, m ２ is the weight (g) of the residue on the upper stage of the standard sieve after the passage of the period.)

12. The aforementioned filter for smoking articles further comprises an additive dispersed on the lyocell, The smoking article according to claim 11, wherein the additive comprises at least one of polyethylene glycol (PEG), triethyl citrate (TEC), and triacetin (TA).

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