Water flow complex filter material for smoking devices having good expansion behavior

Abstract

A hydroentangled nonwoven fabric for manufacturing a segment for a smoking article is shown. The hydroentangled nonwoven fabric is in a web form and contains at least 50% to at most 100% cellulose fibers based on the mass of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, and the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric has a density of at least 15 g / m 2 ~60g / m2 max 2 the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric has a machine direction and a transverse direction perpendicular to the machine direction and in the plane of the web of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric has a characteristic plastic deformability in the transverse direction, the characteristic plastic deformation being characterized in that in a tensile test in the transverse direction in accordance with ISO1924-2:2008, a nonlinear portion of the deformation energy absorbed by the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric up to half the breaking elongation is at least 10% and at most 50% of the total deformation energy absorbed by the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric up to half the breaking elongation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter material suitable for manufacturing segments of a smoking article. Since the filter material has advantageous plastic deformability in the lateral direction, segments for smoking articles can be efficiently manufactured therefrom in the future. The present invention also relates to segments for smoking articles manufactured from this filter material.

Background Art

[0002] A smoking article is typically a rod-shaped article composed of at least two rod-shaped segments arranged side by side. One segment contains a material capable of forming an aerosol upon heating, and at least one additional segment plays a role in influencing the characteristics of the aerosol.

[0003] A smoking article can be a filtered cigarette. Here, the first segment contains an aerosol-forming material, particularly tobacco, and the additional segment is designed as a filter and acts to filter the aerosol. Here, the aerosol is generated by the combustion of the aerosol-forming material, and the filter mainly serves to filter the aerosol and give a predetermined suction resistance to the filtered cigarette.

[0004] However, a smoking article can also be a heated tobacco product. In this case, the aerosol-forming material is only heated and not burned. This means that the number and amount of substances harmful to health in the aerosol are reduced. Such smoking articles are also typically composed of at least two, and more often, particularly four segments. One segment typically contains an aerosol-forming material comprising tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco prepared by other processes. Further, any segment of the heated tobacco product serves to transfer the aerosol, cool the aerosol, or filter the aerosol.

[0005] Segments are usually wrapped in packaging materials. Paper is very often used as the packaging material.

[0006] Unless otherwise explicitly stated or directly apparent from the context, the term "segment" should be understood to refer to a segment of a smoking article that does not contain aerosol-forming material and that serves, for example, to transfer, cool, or filter an aerosol.

[0007] In the prior art, it is known to form such segments from polymers such as cellulose acetate and polylactide. After consumption of the smoking article, the smoking article must be properly discarded. However, in many cases, consumers simply exhaust the used smoking article into the environment. And attempts to restrict this behavior through information and fines have been mostly unsuccessful.

[0008] Since cellulose acetate and polylactide biodegrade very slowly in the environment, there is interest in the industry in manufacturing segments of smoking articles from other materials that biodegrade better. Furthermore, in the European Union (EU), for example, regulations are being discussed that would substantially reduce or prohibit the use of non-natural polymers. For this reason, there is also interest in using alternative segments in commercially available smoking articles.

[0009] In the prior art, it is known to manufacture segments for smoking articles, particularly filter segments, from paper. Such segments generally biodegrade easily but also have drawbacks. As an example, paper filter segments generally have a high filtering efficiency, so that the aerosol flavor is reduced compared to cigarettes having conventional cellulose acetate filter segments due to the aerosol becoming dry. Furthermore, the filtering efficiency for phenol is often lower than that of cellulose acetate.

[0010] An essential reason why paper filter segments are not yet widely used lies also in their optical appearance. At the mouth end of the smoking article, the cut surface of the segment located at the mouth end is visible. From the ordinary segments made of cellulose acetate, consumers are accustomed to a white, homogeneous surface where individual cut fibers are hardly visible. However, paper segments have a rough structure that gives consumers an impression of low quality. Therefore, segments made of paper are often only used as part of the filter segments composed of multiple segments so that the cut surface is not visible to consumers. And the segments located at the mouth end are still often made of cellulose acetate. Due to such optical drawbacks, the advantages regarding the biodegradability of paper segments cannot be fully utilized.

[0011] In the prior art, it is also known to manufacture segments of smoking articles from non-woven fabrics. For example, EP2515689 describes a non-woven filter material, but since this mainly contains fibers made of polyvinyl alcohol, polylactic acid or other non-natural polymers, it does not fully meet the requirements regarding biodegradability. Furthermore, the described non-woven fabric is too thin, so that the cut surface of the segments manufactured therefrom cannot have an optically acceptable appearance.

[0012] In the technical field, it is also known to manufacture filter materials for smoking articles from fibers - made paper that is easily biodegradable. US2015 / 0374030 describes such filter materials, which are composed to a considerable extent of pulp fibers made of hemp, flax, abaca, sisal or cotton. These fibers are expensive and have a large quality variation because their growth period is short compared to pulp fibers made of wood. However, according to the teachings of US2015 / 0374030, these are necessary to simultaneously achieve a structure with sufficient porosity and a sufficiently high strength. The use of wood pulp is not recommended because it produces a dense and compressed paper structure. In fact, the proportion of wood pulp should always be less than 50% by weight and less than 5% by weight in industrially implemented embodiments. Also, the optical appearance of such filters is not sufficiently attractive to consumers due to the manufacturing process employed.

[0013] In response to the teachings of the prior art, the inventors have found in the present application that a filter material with a high proportion of pulp fibers can be manufactured in the form of a hydroentangled non - woven fabric without the non - woven structure being too dense or too compressed. The corresponding filter material that can be regarded as the starting point of the present invention is described in the pre - published international application PCT / EP2019 / 085125. This pre - published application also describes the pleating or crimping of filter materials to form continuous tows of pleated or crimped filter materials. Subsequently, the continuous tows (packed short yarns) are wound with wrapping paper and cut into individual rods of a predetermined length to form the segments.

[0014] As an example, when manufacturing the segments, the cellulosic non - woven fabric can first be crimped longitudinally before being formed into continuous tows and wound with packaging material. Then, the continuous tows can be cut into pieces suitable for further processing.

[0015] During the crimping process of the web, the web can be passed through two rollers provided with a pattern. These rollers emboss the pattern onto the web. As an example, this pattern can be a line pattern oriented in the machine direction of the web. The embossed lines are deformed by stretching them in the transverse direction, which is the direction orthogonal to the machine direction of the web. Therefore, by gathering the web in the transverse direction, continuous tows can be formed more easily.

[0016] However, during the crimping process of the type described, the web may tear in the transverse direction. Therefore, there is a need for a filter material that does not have such drawbacks, or a filter material that is otherwise suitable and is as similar as possible in properties to the filter materials described in the above-mentioned pre-publication international application PCT / EP2019 / 085125.

[0017] The object of the present invention is to provide a web-shaped filter material for a smoking article that can be processed into segments of a smoking article with high productivity and that is otherwise as similar as possible in properties to a suitable filter material.

[0018] This object is achieved by the hydrogentangled nonwoven fabric according to claim 1, the segment for a smoking article according to claim 16, and the smoking article according to claim 23, and the process for manufacturing the segment according to claim 22 (Method) and the process for manufacturing the hydrogentangled nonwoven fabric according to the invention according to claim 27. (Method) This is achieved by. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0019] The inventors have found that this object can be achieved by the following filter material for manufacturing segments for smoking articles. The filter material is a web-like water-entangled nonwoven fabric. The term "water entanglement" refers first to the basic manufacturing process, but water-entangled nonwoven fabrics have characteristic structural properties by which they are distinguished from other nonwoven fabrics and, to the inventors' knowledge, these structural properties cannot be obtained in the same manner by other manufacturing processes. For example, the strength of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric is achieved by the entanglement of the fibers, except for paper whose strength is due to hydrogen bonds and whose fibers are mainly oriented in the plane of the paper. The water-entangled nonwoven fabric is particularly suitable as a filter material for segments of smoking articles, especially by having a porous structure.

[0020] According to the present invention, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric contains cellulose fibers in an amount of at least 50% to a maximum of 100% each, based on the mass of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, and the water-entangled nonwoven fabric has a basis weight of at least 15 g / m 2 to a maximum of 60 g / m 2 . Here, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric has a machine direction and a cross direction that is orthogonal to the machine direction and lies in the plane of the web of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric. Further, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric has characteristic plastic deformability in the cross direction, and the characteristic plastic deformation is such that in a tensile test in the cross direction according to ISO 1924-2:2008, the non-linear part of the deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break is at least 10% to a maximum of 50% of the total deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break. This characteristic plastic deformability is more prominent than in the case of general filter materials.

[0021] In the production and processing of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric travels through a machine in a direction which is the so-called machine direction. The water-entangled nonwoven fabric has a direction that is orthogonal to the machine direction and lies in the plane of the web of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, i.e., the cross direction.

[0022] When processing a filter material to form segments for a smoking article, the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric is preferably crimped. For this purpose, the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric is passed, for example, between two rollers provided with a pattern, and these emboss this pattern onto the web. Preferably, this pattern is a line pattern oriented in the machine direction of the web. The embossed lines stretch and deform the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric in a direction perpendicular to the machine direction, i.e., the cross direction. In the filter material thus deformed, gathers can be more easily brought together in the cross direction, so that a continuous tow for manufacturing segments can be produced.

[0023] The problem with this process is that, in order to cause the desired deformation in the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, the two rollers generate a high elongation in the cross direction in the web, so there is a risk that the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric may tear in the cross direction. A person skilled in the art would consider increasing the breaking elongation of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric in the cross direction so that it can withstand greater deformation without tearing. However, the inventors have found that this does not solve the problem because, in order to achieve a permanent deformation in the cross direction, the elongation has to be further increased, and the risk of exceeding the breaking strength in the cross direction further increases.

[0024] According to the inventors' findings, it is important that, in the cross-directional elongation that the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric undergoes during crimping, a permanent plastic deformation rather than an elastic deformation occurs. If such plastic deformation is achieved with the rollers in a more spaced-apart state during crimping, the risk of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric tearing in the cross direction during processing is reduced. Generally, it will be sufficient to stretch the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric in the cross direction to about half of its breaking elongation.

[0025] The inventors have found that by using an appropriate process, a structure can be provided that simplifies the crimping process by enabling good plastic deformability in the cross direction in the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric. A process suitable for this will be further described below.

[0026] This plastic deformability in the transverse direction is characterized by a tensile test in accordance with ISO1924-2:2008. In this tensile test, a strip with a width of 15 mm is cut out transversely from the sample and stretched at a speed of 20 mm / min until it breaks. At this time, by recording the elongation ε and the applied force F, a force-elongation curve F(ε) can be obtained. Similarly, the breaking elongation ε b and the tensile strength F(ε b ) are also recorded. The deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the breaking elongation ε b / 2 is as follows.

[0027] [Number] Here, in practice, the integration is calculated numerically.

[0028] This deformation energy consists of an elastic part and a plastic part. Since the elastic deformation energy is released when the load is removed, it does not contribute to the result of the crimping process. In contrast, since the plastic deformation is irreversible, even if the elongation in the two rollers is small, if the portion of the plastic deformation energy in the total deformation energy is higher than that of equivalent filter materials in the prior art, good crimping results can be expected.

[0029] Generally, elastic deformation is related to the proportional relationship between elongation and force. Under the hypothetical assumption that the water-entangled nonwoven fabric ideally elastically deforms up to half of the breaking elongation, the deformation energy E lin up to half of the breaking elongation is calculated by the following formula.

[0030] [Number]

[0031] And, among the deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the breaking elongation, the non-linear part E nl exceeding the linear deformation energy is as follows.

[0032]

Number

[0033] According to the findings of the present inventors, when the non-linear portion of the deformation energy absorbed up to half of the transverse breaking elongation is at least 10% of the total deformation energy absorbed up to half of the transverse breaking elongation, that is, if it satisfies the following equation, very good results can be achieved during the crimping process.

[0034]

Number

[0035] Such considerations for quantifying the plastic behavior can be explained by the table shown in FIG. 1 obtained when a tensile test is carried out in accordance with ISO 1924-2:2008. The elongation ε is shown on the x-axis 10, and the force F(ε) applied to cause this elongation is shown on the y-axis 11. Starting from the state 12 where no pressure is applied, while increasing the elongation ε at a rate of 20 mm / min, the force F(ε) is measured simultaneously. In this way, a force-elongation curve 13 is generated. Thus, the elongation is increased until the sample fractures in the state 14, and from here, the breaking elongation ε b and the tensile strength F(ε b ) are determined.

[0036] When manufacturing a segment from a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, at a certain position on the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, for example, up to the point 15 where it is about half of the breaking elongation ε b / 2, by applying a load with the corresponding force F(ε b / 2), the state 16 is reached.

[0037] The line 17 connecting the points 12 and 16 represents the imaginary linear elastic behavior. The linear deformation energy E lincorresponds to the triangular region formed by points 12, 16, and 15. In contrast, the total deformation energy corresponds to the region enclosed by the line from point 12 to point 15, the line from point 15 to point 16, and line 13 from point 16 to point 12. The non-linear part E of the deformation energy used to characterize the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention in the context of the present invention nl corresponds to the region defined by line 17 and line 13, each located between point 12 and point 16. The greater the upward strong bending of the force-elongation curve and the greater the deviation from the hypothetical linear elastic behavior, the greater the possibility of plastic deformation and thus irreversible deformation.

[0038] When manufacturing segments from the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention, the lateral elongation can naturally deviate from half of the elongation at break during crimping, but the non-linear part of the deformation energy up to half of the elongation at break is independent of the actually applied elongation and the actual elastic-plastic behavior, and has been found to be a parameter suitable for characterizing the structure of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention and predicting the behavior of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric during crimping.

[0039] For comparison, Figure 2 shows the behavior of a very general filter material not according to the present invention. Here too, a tensile test in accordance with ISO 1924-2:2008 is carried out laterally on the sample. Elongation ε is shown on the x-axis 20, and the force F(ε) applied to cause this elongation is shown on the y-axis 21. Starting from the state 22 without applied pressure, while increasing the elongation ε at a rate of 20 mm / min, the force F(ε) is measured simultaneously. In this way, the force-elongation curve 23 is generated. Thereby, the elongation is increased until the sample fractures at state 24, and from here the elongation at break ε b and the tensile strength F(ε b ) are determined.

[0040] When manufacturing segments from the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, on the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, for example, the force F(ε b corresponding to the point 25 which is about half of the elongation at break ε / 2b Applying a load at (1 / 2) leads to state 26.

[0041] Line 17 connecting points 22 and 26 represents linear elastic behavior. The corresponding deformation energy E lin corresponds to the area of the triangle formed by points 22, 26, and 25. In contrast, the total deformation energy E corresponds to the area enclosed by the line from point 22 to point 25, the line from point 25 to point 26, and line 23 from point 26 to point 22. The non-linear part E of the deformation energy nl corresponds to the area defined by line 27 and line 23, each located between point 22 and point 26. At very similar breaking elongations and for very similar linear parts of the deformation energy, it can be seen that the non-linear part of the deformation energy is substantially small. Therefore, such a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric mainly responds elastically to deformation and will essentially return the entire deformation after removal of the load. To introduce a plastic deformation energy similar to that of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric shown in FIG. 1, it would be necessary to stretch the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric to point 29, as shown by line 28. The required elongation becomes quite large, and in particular, the required force approaches the transverse tensile strength. For this reason, due to a slight deviation of the machine or variations in the quality of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric can rupture transversely. In contrast, the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention has a structure that enables transverse permanent deformation even with a small elongation. For this reason, segments for smoking articles can be more reliably manufactured from this hydroentangled nonwoven fabric.

[0042] The hydroentangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention contains cellulose fibers. According to the findings of the present inventors, cellulose fibers are necessary to impart sufficient strength to the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric so that it can be processed into segments. According to the present invention, the proportion of cellulose fibers in the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric is at least 50% to a maximum of 100% of the mass of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, preferably at least 60% to a maximum of 100% each with respect to the mass of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, and particularly preferably at least 70% to a maximum of 95%.

[0043] The cellulose fibers can be pulp fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, or mixtures thereof.

[0044] The pulp fibers are preferably obtained from softwood, hardwood, or other plants such as hemp, flax, jute, ramie, kenaf, kapok, coconut, abaca, sisal, bamboo, cotton, or esparto grass. Mixtures of pulp fibers from various sources can also be used to produce the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric. Particularly preferably, the pulp fibers are obtained from softwood. This is because such fibers impart good strength to the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric even in small proportions.

[0045] The hydroentangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention may contain regenerated cellulose fibers. Preferably, the proportion of the regenerated cellulose fibers is at least 5% to a maximum of 50%, particularly preferably at least 10% to a maximum of 45%, and highly particularly preferably at least 15% to a maximum of 40% with respect to the mass of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric.

[0046] The regenerated cellulose fibers are preferably at least partially formed by viscose fibers, modal fibers, lyocell ( Registered trademark (hereinafter abbreviated as (R)) fibers, tencel ( Registered trademark (hereinafter abbreviated as (R)) ) fibers, or mixtures thereof, particularly more than 70%. These fibers have good biodegradability and can be used to optimize the strength of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric and adjust the filtering efficiency of the segments for smoking articles manufactured therefrom. Due to the manufacturing process, these fibers have less variation than pulp fibers obtained from natural sources, contributing to the fact that the properties of the segments manufactured from the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric vary less than when using only pulp fibers. However, their production is laborious and they are usually more expensive than pulp fibers.

[0047] According to the present invention, the basis weight of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric is at least 15 g / m 2 to a maximum of 60 g / m 2 , preferably at least 18 g / m 2 to a maximum of 55 g / m2 、 Particularly preferably, at least 20 g / m 2 ~ up to a maximum of 50 g / m 2 The basis weight affects the tensile strength of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric. Generally, the higher the basis weight, the higher the tensile strength. However, the basis weight should not be too high, because it may become impossible to process the water-entangled nonwoven fabric into segments for smoking articles at high speed. The value refers to the basis weight measured in accordance with ISO536:2019.

[0048] Regarding the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention, in the tensile test in the transverse direction conducted in accordance with ISO1924-2:2008, the non-linear portion of the deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break is at least 10% - up to a maximum of 50% of the total deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break. Preferably, the non-linear portion of the deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break is at least 15% - up to a maximum of 40% of the total deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break. Particularly preferably, the non-linear portion is at least 15% - up to a maximum of 35%, especially at least 18% - up to a maximum of 50%. In the preferred range and the particularly preferred range, good results during crimping can be achieved even with moderate elongation, and the risk of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric tearing in the transverse direction is very low.

[0049] To obtain specific properties, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention may contain additives such as alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), particularly acid anhydrides such as alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), polyvinyl alcohol, wax, fatty acid, starch, starch derivatives, carboxymethyl cellulose, alginate, chitosan, wet strength agents, or substances for adjusting pH, particularly organic or inorganic acids or bases. Alternatively or additionally, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention may contain one or more additives selected from the group consisting of citrates such as trisodium citrate or tripotassium citrate, malates, tartrates, acetates such as sodium acetate or potassium acetate, nitrates, succinates, fumarates, gluconates, glycolates, lactates, oxalates, salicylates, α-hydroxycaprylates, phosphates, polyphosphates, chlorides, and hydrogen carbonates, and mixtures thereof.

[0050] A person skilled in the art can determine the type and amount of such additives from experience.

[0051] The water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention may also comprise another substance that better matches the filtering efficiency of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric to the filtering efficiency of cellulose acetate. In a preferred embodiment of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of triacetin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, triethyl citrate, or mixtures thereof.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, at least a part of the cellulose fibers contains a filler, and the filler is particularly preferably formed of mineral particles, particularly calcium carbonate particles. Since the structure of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric is very porous, it is not suitable for holding the filler. Therefore, it is advantageous to include the filler in the cellulose fibers to hold it within the structure of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric. The filler can play a role in providing special properties to the water-entangled nonwoven fabric.

[0053] The thickness of one layer of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric measured in accordance with ISO534:2011 is preferably at least 25 μm to a maximum of 1000 μm, preferably at least 30 μm to a maximum of 800 μm, and particularly preferably at least 35 μm to a maximum of 600 μm. The thickness not only affects the amount of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric that can be filled into the segment of the smoking article, and thus the draw resistance and filtering efficiency of the segment, but also affects the processability, particularly when the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric is crimped or pleated during the manufacture of the segment of the smoking article. In such processing steps, a thickness that is too large is disadvantageous, and with a thickness in the preferred range and particularly preferred range, particularly good processability of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention for forming the segment of the smoking article can be obtained.

[0054] The mechanical properties of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric are important for processing the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention into the segment of the smoking article. The tensile strength of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric in the transverse direction measured in accordance with ISO1924-2:2008 with respect to the width is preferably at least 0.05 kN / m to a maximum of 5 kN / m, and particularly preferably at least 0.07 kN / m to a maximum of 4 kN / m.

[0055] Therefore, the elongation at break of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric in the transverse direction measured in accordance with ISO1924-2:2008 is preferably at least 0.5% to a maximum of 50%, and particularly preferably at least 0.8% to a maximum of 40%. The elongation at break is mainly determined by the length of the fibers. The longer the fibers, the higher the elongation at break. For this reason, the elongation at break can be adjusted within a wide range according to the requirements specific to the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric.

[0056] Segments according to the present invention for smoking articles can be manufactured from the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention according to processes known in the art. These processes include, for example, the step of crimping the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, the step of forming continuous tows from the crimped hydroentangled nonwoven fabric, the step of winding the continuous tows with a packaging material, and the step of cutting the wound tows into individual rods of a predetermined length. In many cases, since the length of such rods is an integer multiple of the length of the segments to be used later in the smoking article according to the present invention, the rods are cut into segments of the desired length before or during the manufacture of the smoking article.

[0057] Segments according to the present invention for smoking articles comprise a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention and a packaging material.

[0058] Specifically, the segment comprises a hydroentangled nonwoven fabric with lateral gathers and a packaging material. The hydroentangled nonwoven fabric contains at least 50% to a maximum of 100% cellulose fibers each, based on the mass of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric. Here, the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric has a basis weight of at least 15 g / m 2 to a maximum of 60 g / m 2It has a basis weight. To determine the basis weight, the area of the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric is used as if it were spread out (i.e., no longer gathered). The hydroentangled nonwoven fabric has a transverse direction, and in the transverse direction, the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric is gathered. The hydroentangled nonwoven fabric can be pre-formed by crimping or pleating to facilitate the step of gathering the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric. The term "gather" should be interpreted broadly, and the verb "gather" does not imply a specific mechanical method of achieving the state of "gathered". Also, the "pleated" state is the state of "gathered" in the context of the present disclosure, for example, regardless of the mechanical method of achieving pleating or shortening in the transverse direction. Further, in the state where no gathering is done, the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric has characteristic plastic deformability in the transverse direction. The characteristic plastic deformability is characterized in that in a tensile test in the transverse direction conforming to ISO1924-2:2008, the non-linear part of the deformation energy absorbed by the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break is at least 10% to a maximum of 50% of the total deformation energy absorbed by the hydroentangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the segment according to the present invention, the segment is cylindrical and has a diameter of at least 3 mm to a maximum of 10 mm, particularly preferably at least 4 mm to a maximum of 9 mm, and more particularly preferably at least 5 mm to a maximum of 8 mm. These diameters are advantageous for using the segment according to the present invention in a smoking device.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the segment according to the present invention, the segment has a length of at least 4 mm to a maximum of 40 mm, particularly preferably at least 6 mm to a maximum of 35 mm, and more particularly preferably at least 10 mm to a maximum of 28 mm.

[0061] The draw resistance of the segment essentially affects the acceptance of the smoking article by the consumer, in particular for determining the pressure difference that the consumer has to apply during use of the smoking article in order to generate a certain volume flow through the smoking article. The draw resistance of the segment can be measured in accordance with ISO 6565:2015 and is given in millimeters of water gauge (mmWG). Since the draw resistance of the segment is very approximately proportional to the length of the segment, the measurement of the draw resistance can also be carried out on rods that differ only in segment and length. The draw resistance of the segment can be easily calculated hereinafter.

[0062] The draw resistance of the segment per unit length of the segment is preferably at least 1 mmWG / mm to a maximum of 12 mmWG / mm, particularly preferably at least 2 mmWG / mm to a maximum of 10 mmWG / mm.

[0063] The packaging material according to the invention is preferably paper or film.

[0064] The packaging material of the segment according to the invention preferably has a basis weight of at least 20 g / m 2 to a maximum of 150 g / m 2 and particularly preferably at least 30 g / m 2 to a maximum of 130 g / m 2 in accordance with ISO 536:2019. The packaging material having this preferred basis weight or this particularly preferred basis weight provides a particularly advantageous hardness to the segment according to the invention wound therewith.

[0065] The smoking article according to the invention can be manufactured from the segment according to the invention according to processes known in the art.

[0066] The smoking article according to the invention comprises a segment containing an aerosol-forming material and a segment comprising the water-entangled nonwoven fabric and the packaging material according to the invention.

[0067] The cut surface of the segment according to the present invention is optically very similar to that of a cellulose acetate segment. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the segment located adjacent to the mouth end of the smoking article is the segment according to the present invention.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment, the smoking article is a filtered tobacco, and the aerosol-forming material comprises tobacco.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the smoking article is a smoking article that only heats the aerosol-forming material and does not burn it during its intended use. The aerosol-forming material preferably comprises a material selected from the group consisting of tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, nicotine, glycerol, propylene glycol, or a mixture thereof. Here, the aerosol-forming material may be present in liquid form and may be disposed in a corresponding container within the smoking article.

[0070] According to the findings of the present inventors, the non-linear portion of the deformation energy according to the present invention can be achieved by more strongly orienting the fibers in the water-entangled nonwoven fabric in the machine direction of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric. This can be achieved by the process according to the present invention described below.

[0071] The water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention can be manufactured according to a process comprising steps A1 to A3. That is, the process A1 - providing a fiber web comprising cellulose fibers, the fiber web having a machine direction and a cross direction orthogonal thereto and within the plane of the web; A2 - water-entangling the fiber web with a water jet directed at the fiber web to produce a water-entangled fiber web; A3 - drying the water-entangled fiber web; and In step A1, select the proportion of cellulose fibers in the fiber web such that after drying in step A3, the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric contains at least 50% to a maximum of 100% cellulose fibers based on the mass of the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric. Perform steps A1 and A2 such that the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric is provided with the characteristic plastic deformability in the transverse direction. The characteristic plastic deformability is such that in a tensile test performed on the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric after drying in step A3 in accordance with ISO 1924-2:2008 in the transverse direction, the non-linear portion of the deformation energy absorbed by the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break is at least 10% to a maximum of 50% of the total deformation energy absorbed by the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break. After drying in step A3, the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric has a basis weight of at least 15 g / m 2 ~ a maximum of 60 g / m 2 .

[0072] Here, steps A1 and A2 can be performed such that the cellulose fibers in the completed water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric tend to be oriented in the machine direction rather than the transverse direction.

[0073] The entanglement of cellulose fibers occurs due to the water jets directed at the fiber web in step A2, generating a structure that leads to advantageous plastic behavior in the transverse direction. Under the "pressure of the water jets", those skilled in the art will understand here, for example, the pressure applied to generate the water jets in a pressure chamber. According to the findings of the present inventors, in order to achieve the advantageous plastic behavior of the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric, it is important that the proportion of fibers oriented in the transverse direction in the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric is low and the fibers are more oriented in the machine direction and the thickness direction. To create this structure according to the present invention in the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric, the water jets should be arranged close to each other in the transverse direction. The proximity of the water jets hitting the fiber web simultaneously causes the water to spread more in the machine direction than in the transverse direction, orienting the fibers accordingly in that direction.

[0074] Accordingly, the pressure of the water jet can be reduced compared to the commonly used pressure. Since the distance and pressure of the water jet also depend on the size of the opening from which the water jet flows out, and especially on the speed of the fiber web, a person skilled in the art can select specific values according to experience by means of simple experiments considering specific embodiments.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, a plurality of water jets are used to effect the water entanglement of step A2, and the water jets are arranged in at least one row so as to cross the machine direction of the fiber web.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the water entanglement in step A2 is effected by at least two rows of water jets directed at the fiber web, and particularly preferably at least one row of said water jets acts on each of the two sides of the fiber web.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the drying in step A3 is effected at least in part by contact with hot air, by infrared radiation or by microwave radiation. Drying by direct contact with a heating surface is also possible, but is less preferred since the thickness of the filter material may thereby be reduced.

[0078] The water-entangled nonwoven fabric produced according to this process must be suitable for use in segments for smoking articles. This means that, in particular, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric can particularly have all the features described above for the water-entangled nonwoven fabric and defined in the dependent claims relating to the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, either alone or in combination.

[0079] In an advantageous embodiment, the step A1 of providing the fiber web comprises the following steps B1 to B3. That is, step A1 is B1 - producing an aqueous suspension comprising cellulose fibers; B2 - applying the suspension from step B1 to a traveling wire; Step B3: dehydrating the suspension through the traveling wire to form the fiber web; comprising; In step B1, the amount or proportion of cellulose fibers in the fiber web is selected such that after drying in step A3, the water flow bonded nonwoven fabric contains at least 50% to a maximum of 100% cellulose fibers based on the mass of the water flow bonded nonwoven fabric; In step B3, the machine direction of the fiber web is defined by the traveling direction of the wire, and the cross direction is defined by a direction orthogonal thereto and within the plane of the fiber web; In step B2, the suspension is applied to the traveling wire at a speed slower than the speed of the traveling wire. Here, it should be understood that the speeds of the traveling wire and the suspension refer to the same reference frame, and changing the speed results in the relative speed between the suspension and the traveling wire utilized in this embodiment of the process.

[0080] In this embodiment of the process, in step B2, the velocity at which the suspension flows over the traveling wire and the velocity of the traveling wire in step B2 are appropriately adjusted relative to each other, so that the fibrous web at least partially obtains the desired structure. In particular, according to the findings of the present inventors, the velocity at which the suspension flows over the traveling wire in step B2 must be slower than the velocity of the traveling wire. Due to the velocity difference, the suspension is carried along with the wire and shear forces are generated in the suspension. The shear forces contribute to the structure of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric that provides the plastic deformability in the transverse direction according to the present invention, because they orient the cellulose fibers in the machine direction. Those skilled in the art can select the magnitude of the velocity difference according to their experience while considering the exemplary embodiments, or by means of simple experiments. According to the experience of the present inventors, if in step B2 the suspension is applied to the traveling wire at a velocity that is only about 90% of the velocity of the traveling wire, for example at a velocity of 88% to 93% of the velocity of the traveling wire, a structure having the desired plastic deformability in the transverse direction can often be obtained. This value is only for reference purposes. Since the appropriate value for the velocity difference depends at least in part on the remaining process parameters, in practice it can be determined experimentally by those skilled in the art. The guiding principle and ultimately the decisive criterion is the characteristic plastic deformability obtained in the transverse direction of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric produced thereby, which is characterized with reference to the tensile test in the transverse direction in accordance with ISO 1924-2:2008, as described above.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment, the aqueous suspension in step B1 has a solids content of at most 3.0%, particularly preferably at most 1.0%, more particularly preferably at most 0.2%, and especially at most 0.05%. The particularly low solids content of the suspension enables the fibrous web to be formed at a low density in step B3, which is advantageous for the filtering efficiency to be produced therefrom.

[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the running wires in step B2 and step B3 are each inclined at an angle of at least 3° to a maximum of 40°, preferably at least 5° to a maximum of 30°, and particularly preferably at least 15° to a maximum of 25° upward in the machine direction of the fiber web with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment, the process further comprises the step of applying a pressure difference between two said sides of the running wire to assist in dewatering the suspension in step B3, and particularly preferably, the pressure difference is generated by a vacuum box or a foil having an appropriate shape.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the process comprises a further step of applying one or more additives to the fiber web. The additives are preferably selected from the group consisting of alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), acid anhydrides such as alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), polyvinyl alcohol, wax, fatty acid, starch, starch derivatives, carboxymethyl cellulose, alginate, chitosan, wet strength agents, or substances for adjusting pH such as organic or inorganic acids or bases, and mixtures thereof. Alternatively or additionally, one or more additives selected from the group consisting of citrates such as trisodium citrate or tripotassium citrate, malates, tartrates, acetates such as sodium acetate or potassium acetate, nitrates, succinates, fumarates, gluconates, glycolates, lactates, oxalates, salicylates, α-hydroxycaprylates, phosphates, polyphosphates, chlorides, and bicarbonates, and mixtures thereof can be applied.

[0085] In a preferred embodiment, the application of one or more additives is carried out between step A2 and step A3 of the process according to the invention, or after step A3, followed by a further step of drying the fiber web.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0086] [Fig. 1]FIG. 1 shows, as an example, the force-elongation diagram of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention. [Fig. 2] FIG. 2 shows, as an example, the force-elongation diagram of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric not according to the present invention. [Fig. 3] FIG. 3 shows an apparatus in which the process according to the present invention for manufacturing the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to the present invention can be implemented. [Fig. 4] FIG. 4 shows the force-elongation curves measured in the lateral direction of Embodiments A, B, and C according to the present invention. [Fig. 5] FIG. 5 shows the force-elongation curve measured in the lateral direction of Comparative Example Z not according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0087] The water-entangled nonwoven fabric, the process for manufacturing the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, the segment for a smoking article, and some preferred embodiments of the smoking article will be described below. Further, comparative examples not according to the present invention will be described.

[0088] Exemplary embodiments A, B, and C Embodiments A, B, and C according to the present invention were manufactured using the apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

[0089] A suspension 31 of pulp fibers and regenerated cellulose fibers was supplied to a storage tank 32 (step B1). From there, the suspension 31 was pumped onto a traveling wire 33 inclined upward with respect to the horizontal direction (step B2) and dewatered by a vacuum box 39 (step B3). Thereby, a fiber web 34 was formed on the wire. The overall moving direction thereof is indicated by arrow 310. It should be noted that steps B to B3 are specific sub-steps of the overall process step A1 (providing a fiber web comprising cellulose fibers). Here, the speed at which the wire 33 moves was selected to be approximately 10% faster than the speed of the suspension 31 flowing out of the storage tank 32 so that the fibers are mainly oriented in the machine direction. The fiber web 34 was removed from the wire 33 and transferred to a traveling support wire 35 that was also traveling (step C4). Here, from a device 36, water jets 311 arranged in a plurality of rows in a direction transverse to the machine direction of the fiber web 34 were directed at the fiber web 34 to entangle the fibers and solidify the fiber web 34 into a nonwoven fabric (step A2). Following step A2, water jets 312 were similarly directed at the other side of the fiber web 34 by a further device 37. Then, the still wet nonwoven fabric was passed through a drying unit 38 and dried herein (step A3) to obtain a water-entangled nonwoven fabric.

[0090] To produce the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, a mixture of pulp fibers made from softwood and lyocell (R) fibers was used. The amount of fibers was selected such that the completed water-entangled nonwoven fabric consisted of 65% pulp fibers and 35% lyocell (R) fibers. The completed water-entangled nonwoven fabric had a basis weight conforming to ISO 536:2019 of 55 g / m 2 .

[0091] In step A2 of the manufacturing process, first, three rows of water jets 311 were directed towards the first side of the fiber web 34 in FIG. 3, and one row of water jets 312 was directed towards the second side of the fiber web 34 in FIG. 3. Here, the pressure of the water jets was varied in three steps (low, medium, high) between about 2 MPa and about 40 MPa so as to obtain different water-flow bonded nonwovens A, B, and C according to the present invention. The diameter of the openings from which the water jets flow out was made different between the rows and was selected to be 80 μm to 120 μm. The distance from the center to the center of the openings was 0.3 mm.

[0092] Samples were taken horizontally from these water-flow bonded nonwovens, and the force-elongation diagrams in the tensile test conforming to ISO1924-2:2008 were recorded. The results are shown in FIG. 4. The x-axis 40 indicates elongation (%), and the y-axis 41 indicates force (N). The three lines indicated by A, B, and C show the force-elongation diagrams of the three water-flow bonded nonwovens A, B, and C according to the present invention. As an example, regarding the water-flow bonded nonwoven C, the definition of the non-linear part of the deformation energy absorbed up to half of the breaking elongation with respect to the total deformation energy absorbed up to half of the breaking elongation will be described.

[0093] At half of the breaking elongation ε b / 2, the corresponding force F(ε b / 2) is obtained, and from this, the linear part E lin of the deformation energy can be calculated by the following formula.

[0094]

Equation

[0095] The total deformation energy absorbed up to half of the breaking elongation corresponds to the area formed by the x-axis 40 from ε = 0 to ε = ε b / 2 and the curve C, and can be obtained without problem with sufficient accuracy by the method of numerical integration. Subtracting the linear part E lin of the deformation energy from this, the hatched area corresponding to the non-linear part E nl of the deformation energy remains.

[0096] The measurement of the deformation energy up to half of the breaking elongation was carried out for all the water-entangled nonwovens A, B, and C. The results are shown in Table 1. Here, E is the total deformation energy, E lin is the linear part of the deformation energy, and E nl is the non-linear part of the deformation energy, each being in the lateral direction up to half of the breaking elongation. Since the deformation energy was numerically obtained from the force-elongation curve, it formally has the unit of N·%. To obtain the normal unit of J / m 2 , it is necessary to consider the shape of the sample. Here, only the ratio to each other is important, and since the shapes of the samples are the same, it was not considered. The breaking elongation ε b and the force F at half of the breaking elongation (ε b / 2) are also shown.

[0097]

Table 1

[0098] From the values in Table 1, it can be seen that in Embodiments A, B, and C according to the present invention, the non-linear part of the deformation energy is from about 20% to about 30%. Also, it is noted that as the pressure of the water jet increases, the breaking elongation decreases. For this reason, it may be advantageous to select a low pressure for the water jet. Because, in addition to good plastic elongation behavior, large permanent deformation during the crimping process becomes possible.

[0099] Comparative example D Comparative Example D relates to the manufacture of a filter material in a process comprising only steps B1 to B3 and step A3 and not comprising the step of hydraulically entangling the fiber web. Accordingly, the filter material from Comparative Example D is not a hydraulically entangled nonwoven and is not according to the present invention. Comparative Example D essentially demonstrates that carrying out steps B1 to B3 (as sub-steps of a preferred embodiment of step A1) is actually suitable for contributing to a structure that provides the desired characteristic plastic deformability in the transverse direction when applying the suspension to the running wire at a reduced speed in step B2.

[0100] To manufacture the filter material, a mixture of pulp fibers made from softwood and lyocell (R) fibers was used. The amount of fibers was selected such that the finished filter material consisted of 80% pulp fibers and 20% lyocell (R) fibers. The finished filter material had a basis weight conforming to ISO 536:2019 of 15 g / m 2 .

[0101] In step B2 of the process, the speed of the outflowing suspension was selected to be 10% slower than the speed of the running wire.

[0102] Four samples were taken transversely from the thus obtained filter material D and the force-elongation diagrams in a tensile test conforming to ISO 1924-2:2008 were recorded. The evaluation of the force-elongation diagrams was carried out in the same manner as in Embodiments A, B and C. The results of the four measurements are shown in Table 2.

[0103]

Table 2

[0104] From the values in Table 2, it can be seen that the filter material D thus produced has a non-linear portion of the deformation energy of about 30% and has little variation even when repeatedly measured with the same sample material. This indicates that when the suspension is applied at a reduced speed to the running wire in Step B2, Steps B1 to B3 actually contribute to the desired plastic deformability in the lateral direction.

[0105] Exemplary example E On the other hand, in order to obtain the characteristic plastic deformability in the lateral direction according to the present invention in the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, a special execution of Step A1 (accompanied by a reduction in the application speed of the suspension in Step B2) used in Embodiments A, B, and C is not necessary. This can be seen from the following Embodiment E.

[0106] To manufacture the water-entangled nonwoven fabric in Exemplary Embodiment E, a mixture of pulp fibers made from softwood and lyocell (R) fibers was used. The amount of fibers was selected so that the completed water-entangled nonwoven fabric consisted of 80% pulp fibers and 20% lyocell (R) fibers. Step A1 was carried out without first giving the desired direction across the machine direction to the pulp fibers in the fiber web by the execution of Step B2. The completed water-entangled nonwoven fabric had a basis weight conforming to ISO 536:2019 of 15 g / m 2 and. Step A2 for water entanglement was carried out as in Step A2 of Exemplary Embodiment B.

[0107] Two samples were taken laterally from the water-entangled nonwoven fabric E thus obtained, and the force-elongation diagram in a tensile test conforming to ISO 1924-2:2008 was recorded. The evaluation of the force-elongation diagram was carried out in the same manner as in Embodiments A to C. The results of the two measurements are shown in Table 3.

[0108]

Table 3

[0109] From the values in Table 3, it can be seen that the water flow bonded nonwoven fabric E produced in this way has a proportion of non-linear deformation energy of about 17%. From the comparison with exemplary embodiments A to C produced by the combination of the proper implementation of water flow bonding in step A2 and the pre-structuring of the fiber web with a reduced coating speed in step B2, it can be seen that this combination results in a larger proportion of non-linear deformation energy of about 22% to about 28%, so that better operation during the crimping process can be brought about. Of course, the cost of combining the processes is slightly higher than when the characteristic plastic deformability in the lateral direction according to the present invention is obtained only by the proper implementation of water flow bonding in step A2, as in exemplary embodiment E. Exemplary embodiment E shows that this is actually possible.

[0110] Comparative example Z To produce a filter material not according to the present invention, the same fiber mixture as in exemplary embodiment D was used. The basis weight was still 15 g / m 2 but only the machine settings common to the production of filter paper were used.

[0111] Three samples were taken laterally from the filter material of modification Z, and the force-elongation diagrams in the tensile test according to ISO1924-2:2008 were recorded. The evaluation of the force-elongation diagrams was carried out in the same manner as in embodiments A to C. The results of the three measurements are shown in Table 4.

[0112]

Table 4

[0113] The force-elongation curve of comparative example Z is shown in FIG. 5. Even without quantitative analysis, it is already clear that this behavior is substantially close to linear elastic behavior. Therefore, the deformation upon load removal is essentially reversed, and much greater elongation and force are required to achieve permanent deformation. This means that it easily exceeds the tensile strength or elongation at break in the lateral direction.

[0114] Manufacture of segments and smoking devices Filter rods wound with paper having a length of 100 mm and a diameter of 7.85 mm were manufactured from each of the water-bonded nonwoven fabrics of Exemplary Embodiments A to E and the filter material of Comparative Example Z. The width of the water-bonded nonwoven fabric and the machine settings during filter manufacturing were selected such that a suction resistance of 450 ± 10 mmWG was generated.

[0115] Filter rods could be manufactured from the water-bonded nonwoven fabrics of Exemplary Embodiments A to C and E, and the filter material of Comparative Example Z. However, during manufacturing, it was found that for the water-bonded nonwoven fabrics of Exemplary Embodiments A to C and E, the crimping process did not respond as sensitively to changes in machine settings, particularly the setting of the distance between the rollers during crimping, as Comparative Example Z.

[0116] Filtered cigarettes were manufactured from segments of Exemplary Embodiments A to C and E, and Comparative Example Z according to a general process from the prior art. There were no problems with this manufacturing process.

[0117] Therefore, it can be seen that from the water-bonded nonwoven fabric according to the present invention, segments and smoking articles can be manufactured more reliably and easily than general water-bonded nonwoven fabrics or paper, and better results can be obtained during crimping due to the advantageous plastic elongation behavior.

Claims

1. In a water-entangled nonwoven fabric for manufacturing a segment for a smoking device, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric is web-shaped and contains cellulose fibers each at least 50% to a maximum of 100% based on the mass of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, The water flow complex nonwoven fabric has a basis weight of at least 15 g / m ２ to a maximum of 60 g / m ２ and has a basis weight of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric has a machine direction and a cross direction that is orthogonal thereto and lies within the plane of the web of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric has characteristic plastic deformability in the cross direction, the characteristic plastic deformation is such that in a tensile test in the cross direction conforming to ISO 1924-2:2008, the non-linear portion of the deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break is at least 10% to a maximum of 50% of the total deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break, a water-entangled nonwoven fabric.

2. The proportion of cellulose fibers in the water-entangled nonwoven fabric is each at least 60% to a maximum of 100%, preferably at least 70% to a maximum of 95%, based on the mass of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to Claim 1.

3. The cellulose fibers are formed of pulp fibers, regenerated cellulose fibers, or a mixture thereof, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The pulp fibers are sourced from a single coniferous tree or multiple coniferous trees, a single deciduous tree or multiple deciduous trees, or other plants such as in particular hemp, flax, jute, ramie, kenaf, kapok, coconut, abaca, sisal, bamboo, cotton, or esparto grass, or a mixture of pulp fibers from these various sources, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to Claim 3.

5. The proportion of regenerated cellulose fibers is each at least 5% to a maximum of 50%, preferably at least 10% to a maximum of 45%, particularly preferably at least 15% to a maximum of 40%, based on the mass of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to Claim 3 or 4.

6. The regenerated cellulose fibers are at least partially formed of viscose fibers, modal fibers, lyocell (registered trademark) fibers, tencel (registered trademark) fibers, or a mixture thereof, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to any one of Claims 3 to 5.

7. At least 18 g / m ２ to a maximum of 55 g / m ２ , preferably at least 20 g / m ２ to a maximum of 50 g / m ２ having a basis weight of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.

8. The water-entangled nonwoven fabric has characteristic plastic deformability in the cross direction, The characteristic plastic deformability is such that, in the tensile test in the transverse direction conforming to ISO 1924-2:2008, the non-linear part of the deformation energy absorbed by the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break is at least 15% to a maximum of 40%, preferably at least 15% to a maximum of 35%, particularly at least 18% to a maximum of 32% of the total deformation energy absorbed by the water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break. The water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Containing at least one additive selected from the group consisting of alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), particularly acid anhydrides such as alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), polyvinyl alcohol, wax, fatty acid, starch, starch derivatives, carboxymethyl cellulose, alginate, chitosan, wet strength agents, or substances for adjusting pH which are particularly organic or inorganic acids or bases, or mixtures of two or more of these additives. The water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Containing at least one additive selected from the group consisting of citrates, particularly trisodium citrate or tripotassium citrate, malates, tartrates, acetates, particularly sodium acetate or potassium acetate, nitrates, succinates, fumarates, gluconates, glycolates, lactates, oxalates, salicylates, α-hydroxycaprylates, phosphates, polyphosphates, chlorides, and hydrogen carbonates, or mixtures of two or more of these additives. The water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. Containing at least one substance selected from the group consisting of triacetin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, and triethyl citrate, or mixtures of two or more of these substances. The water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. At least a part of the cellulose fibers contains a filler. The filler is preferably formed of mineral particles, particularly calcium carbonate particles. The water-jet entangled nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The thickness of one layer of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric measured in accordance with ISO 534:2011 is at least 25 μm to a maximum of 1000 μm, preferably at least 30 μm to a maximum of 800 μm, and particularly preferably at least 35 μm to a maximum of 600 μm. The water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The tensile strength of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric in the transverse direction measured in accordance with ISO 1924-2:2008 is at least 0.05 kN / m to a maximum of 5 kN / m, preferably at least 0.07 kN / m to a maximum of 4 kN / m. The water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The elongation at break of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric in the transverse direction measured in accordance with ISO 1924-2:2008 is at least 0.5% to a maximum of 50%, preferably at least 0.8% to a maximum of 40%. The water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. In a segment for a smoking article comprising a water-entangled nonwoven fabric with gathers in the transverse direction and a packaging material, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric contains at least 50% to a maximum of 100% of cellulose fibers each based on the mass of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, The water flow complex nonwoven fabric has a basis weight of at least 15 g / m ２ to a maximum of 60 g / m ２ and has a basis weight of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric has a transverse direction, and in the transverse direction, gathers are formed on the water-entangled nonwoven fabric, in a state where no gathers are formed, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric has characteristic plastic deformability in the transverse direction, the characteristic plastic deformability is such that in a tensile test in the transverse direction conducted in accordance with ISO 1924-2:2008, the non-linear portion of the deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break is at least 10% to a maximum of 50% of the total deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break. Segment.

17. The water-entangled nonwoven fabric has one or more of the characteristics defined in claims 2 to 15. The segment according to claim 16.

18. The segment is cylindrical and has a diameter of at least 3 mm to a maximum of 10 mm, preferably at least 4 mm to a maximum of 9 mm, and particularly preferably at least 5 mm to a maximum of 8 mm, and / or the segment has a length of at least 4 mm to a maximum of 40 mm, preferably at least 6 mm to a maximum of 35 mm, and particularly preferably at least 10 mm to a maximum of 28 mm. The segment according to claim 16 or 17.

19. The suction resistance of the segment per unit length of the segment conforming to ISO 6565:2015 is at least 1 mmWG / mm to a maximum of 12 mmWG / mm, preferably at least 2 mmWG / mm to a maximum of 10 mmWG / mm. The segment according to any one of claims 16 to 18.

20. The packaging material is formed of paper or film. The segment according to any one of claims 16 to 19.

21. The packaging material has a basis weight of at least 20 g / m ２ to a maximum of 150 g / m ２ and preferably at least 30 g / m ２ to a maximum of 130 g / m ２ in accordance with ISO 536:2019 The segment according to any one of claims 16 to 20.

22. The water flow bonding nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is subjected to crimping or pleating. A preferably continuous tow is formed from the water flow bonding nonwoven fabric subjected to crimping or pleating. The tow subjected to crimping or pleating is wound with a packaging material. The wound tow is cut into individual rods of a predetermined length. A method for manufacturing the segment according to any one of claims 16 to 21.

23. In a smoking device comprising a segment containing an aerosol forming material and a segment according to any one of claims 16 to 21. The segment according to any one of claims 16 to 21 is preferably the segment of the smoking device located closest to the mouth end. Smoking device.

24. The smoking device is a filtered cigarette. The aerosol forming material is tobacco or contains the same. The smoking device according to claim 23.

25. The smoking device is a smoking device that only heats the aerosol forming material and does not burn it during its intended use. The aerosol forming material preferably comprises a material selected from the group consisting of tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, nicotine, glycerol, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof. The smoking device according to claim 23.

26. The aerosol forming material is present in liquid form and is disposed in a corresponding container within the smoking device. The smoking device according to claim 25.

27. Providing a fiber web comprising A1-cellulose fibers, the fiber web having a machine direction and a transverse direction that is orthogonal thereto and within the plane of the web. Step A2 - producing a water-entangled fibrous web by water-jet entangling the fibrous web with a water jet directed towards the fibrous web; Step A3 - drying the water-entangled fibrous web; In a method for manufacturing a water-entangled nonwoven fabric comprising: In step A1, the proportion of cellulose fibers in the fibrous web is selected such that after drying in step A3, the water-entangled nonwoven fabric contains at least 50% to a maximum of 100% cellulose fibers based on the mass of the water-entangled nonwoven fabric; Steps A1 and A2 are carried out such that the water-entangled nonwoven fabric is provided with a characteristic plastic deformability in the transverse direction, the characteristic plastic deformability being such that in a tensile test carried out on the water-entangled nonwoven fabric after drying in step A3 in accordance with ISO 1924-2:2008 in the transverse direction, the non-linear part of the deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break is at least 10% to a maximum of 50% of the total deformation energy absorbed by the water-entangled nonwoven fabric up to half of the elongation at break; After drying in step A3, the water flow bonding nonwoven fabric has a basis weight of at least 15 g / m ２ to a maximum of 60 g / m ２ and has a basis weight of Method.

28. A plurality of water jets are used to carry out the water-jet entanglement in step A2; The water jets are arranged in at least one row so as to cross the machine direction of the fibrous web; The method according to claim 27.

29. The water-jet entanglement in step A2 is carried out by at least two rows of water jets; Preferably, at least one row of the water jets acts on each of two sides of the fibrous web; The method according to claim 28.

30. The drying in step A3 is carried out at least partially by contact with hot air, by infrared radiation, or by microwave radiation; The method according to any one of claims 27 to 29.

31. The water-entangled nonwoven fabric produced by the method is the water-entangled nonwoven fabric according to any one of claims 1 to 15; The method according to any one of claims 27 to 30.

32. Said step A1 for providing a fibrous web comprises: Step B1 - producing an aqueous suspension comprising cellulose fibers; Step B2 - applying the suspension from step B1 to a running wire; Step B3 - dewatering the suspension through the running wire to form the fibrous web; Comprising: In step B1, the amount or proportion of cellulose fibers in the fiber web is selected such that after drying in step A3, the water stream-bonded nonwoven fabric contains at least 50% to a maximum of 100% cellulose fibers based on the mass of the water stream-bonded nonwoven fabric. The machine direction of the fiber web is defined by the running direction of the wire in step B3, and the cross direction is defined by the direction perpendicular thereto and within the plane of the fiber web. In step B2, the suspension is applied to the running wire at a speed slower than the speed of the running wire. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 31.

33. The aqueous suspension in step B1 has a solids content of at most 3.0%, particularly preferably at most 1.0%, more particularly preferably at most 0.2%, especially at most 0.05%. The method according to claim 32.

34. The running wires in steps B2 and B3 are each inclined at an angle of at least 3° to a maximum of 40° upward, preferably at least 5° to a maximum of 30°, particularly preferably at least 15° to a maximum of 25° with respect to the horizontal direction in the machine direction of the fiber web. The method according to claim 32 or 33.

35. The method further comprises a step of generating a pressure difference between two side surfaces of the running wire to assist in dewatering the suspension in step B3. The pressure difference is particularly preferably generated by a vacuum box or a foil having an appropriate shape. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 34.

36. The method comprises a further step of applying one or more additives to the fiber web. The one or more additives are selected from the group consisting of alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), particularly acid anhydrides such as alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA), polyvinyl alcohol, wax, fatty acid, starch, starch derivatives, carboxymethyl cellulose, alginates, chitosan, wet strength agents, or substances for adjusting pH which are particularly organic or inorganic acids or bases, and mixtures thereof. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 35.

37. The method comprises a further step of applying one or more additives to the fiber web. One or more of said additives are selected from the group consisting of citrate salts, especially trisodium citrate or tripotassium citrate, malate salts, tartrate salts, acetate salts, especially sodium acetate or potassium acetate, nitrate salts, succinate salts, fumarate salts, gluconate salts, glycolate salts, lactate salts, oxalate salts, salicylate salts, α-hydroxycaprylate salts, phosphate salts, polyphosphate salts, chloride salts, and bicarbonate salts, and mixtures thereof. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 36. **Claim 38** A further step of applying one or more of said additives between step A2 and step A3, or after step A3, and then drying the fiber web follows. The method according to claim 36 or 37.

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