Filter for smoking article, and smoking article comprising same

WO2026205839A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-10-01KT&G CO LTD +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/KR2026/003926
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2025-11-25
Filing Date
2026-03-11
Publication Date
2026-10-01

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Abstract

Provided are a filter for a smoking article, and a smoking article comprising same. The filter for a smoking article comprises a filter portion including: regenerated cellulose tow including regenerated cellulose-based fibers; activated carbon contained in the regenerated cellulose tow; and functional additives dispersed in the regenerated cellulose tow.
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Description

Filter for smoking articles and smoking article including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a filter for smoking products and a smoking product including the same, and more specifically, to a filter for smoking products including activated carbon that can selectively remove phenolic compounds by including a functional additive in the filter for smoking products including activated carbon, while simultaneously minimizing the shedding of activated carbon introduced during the manufacture of the filter for smoking products, and a smoking product including the same.

[0002]

[0003] Generally, since filters for smoking products are the part that consumers bite directly into with their mouths when smoking, it is essential to ensure sufficient mechanical strength and elasticity. Furthermore, it is required to suppress the detachment of activated carbon used as an adsorbent during the filter manufacturing process, prevent contamination of the manufacturing equipment, and ultimately maintain the quality of the final smoking product.

[0004] Conventionally, cellulose acetate (CA) fibers have been widely used as the main material for filters for smoking products. CA fiber-based filters can secure hardness and elasticity of the filter through plasticization by adding plasticizers (e.g., triethyl citrate (TEC), triacetin (TA), etc.), and can more firmly fix activated carbon particles within the fiber structure as an adsorbent to prevent the detachment of activated carbon, thereby preventing the filter from easily losing its shape during smoking, ensuring uniform atomization, and suppressing contamination of the manufacturing equipment and deterioration of the quality of the final product.

[0005] Meanwhile, in the case of regenerated cellulose filters based on Lyocell, Viscose, and other regenerated cellulose fibers, unlike CA fibers, plasticization reactions do not occur due to the aforementioned additives. Therefore, the addition of plasticizers does not contribute to securing the physical properties of filters for smoking products, and as a result, there is a problem in that activated carbon tends to detach easily and sufficient hardness and elasticity are not secured.

[0006] In the case of lyocell-based filters, although plasticizers (TEC, TA, etc.) used in conventional CA filters possess excellent adsorption performance for phenolic components, the problem of reduced phenol removal capability arises from not using said plasticizers. This is expected to be due to the fact that activated carbon is mainly advantageous for the adsorption of gaseous components, so lyocell filters containing only activated carbon are relatively disadvantageous for the adsorption of particulate components such as phenol.

[0007] Therefore, in the manufacture of regenerated cellulose fiber-based activated carbon filters, it is necessary to develop technology that can simultaneously solve problems such as preventing the detachment of activated carbon particles, suppressing contamination of the manufacturing equipment, ensuring sufficient hardness and elasticity, maintaining the quality of the final smoking product, and improving phenol removal ability.

[0008]

[0009] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a filter for a smoking article and a smoking article including the same, wherein the filter includes a functional additive dispersed in regenerated cellulose tow containing activated carbon, thereby compensating for the limitations of activated carbon having adsorption characteristics favorable to gaseous components, and selectively removing particulate components such as phenolic components, so as to improve the reduction effect of gaseous components and particulate components among harmful components generated during smoking.

[0010] In addition, when manufacturing a regenerated cellulose filter containing activated carbon, by spraying and dispersing a functional additive onto the regenerated cellulose tow, the activated carbon is stably fixed within the tow, thereby preventing contamination of the manufacturing device and the ingestion of activated carbon into the consumer's oral cavity, thereby providing a filter for smoking products and a smoking product containing the same.

[0011] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains from the description below.

[0012]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present application, a filter for a smoking article comprises a regenerated cellulose tow containing regenerated cellulose-based fibers, activated carbon contained within the regenerated cellulose tow, and a functional additive dispersed in the regenerated cellulose tow.

[0014] In some embodiments, the regenerated cellulose-based fiber may include at least one of viscose fiber or lyocell fiber.

[0015] In some embodiments, the regenerated cellulose-based fiber comprises a lyocell fiber, and the regenerated cellulose tow may be a lyocell tow.

[0016] In some embodiments, the functional additive may comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), ethylene glycol oligomers, ethylene glycol oligomer ether derivatives which are ether derivatives of the ethylene glycol oligomers, propylene glycol oligomers, and propylene glycol oligomer ether derivatives which are ether derivatives of the propylene glycol oligomers.

[0017] In some embodiments, the ethylene glycol oligomer comprises at least one of diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol (TetraEG), and pentaethylene glycol (PentaEG), and the propylene glycol oligomer may comprise at least one of dipropylene glycol (DPG), tripropylene glycol (TPG), tetrapropylene glycol (TetraPG), and pentapropylene glycol (PentaPG).

[0018] In some embodiments, the functional additive may include at least one of polyethylene glycol (PEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol, and tripropylene glycol (TPG).

[0019] In some embodiments, the functional additive may include polyethylene glycol (PEG).

[0020] In some embodiments, the functional additive may be characterized as being a phenol-reducing substance.

[0021] In some embodiments, the activated carbon may be applied to at least one of powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon.

[0022] In some embodiments, the activated carbon may be included in an amount of 0.5 mg / mm to 4 mg / mm based on the length of the regenerated cellulose tow.

[0023] In some embodiments, the filter portion wrapper is further included to surround the filter portion, and the filter portion wrapper may include a roll of paper having a basis weight of 40 gsm to 160 gsm.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present application, a smoking article comprises a smoking material portion and a filter for the smoking article disposed downstream of the smoking material portion, wherein the filter for the smoking article comprises a regenerated cellulose tow comprising regenerated cellulose-based fibers, an activated carbon contained within the regenerated cellulose tow, and a functional additive dispersed in the regenerated cellulose tow, and a filter portion wrapper surrounding the filter portion, wherein the functional additive comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), ethylene glycol oligomers, an ethylene glycol oligomer ether derivative which is an ether derivative of the ethylene glycol oligomers, propylene glycol oligomers, and a propylene glycol oligomer ether derivative which is an ether derivative of the propylene glycol oligomers.

[0025] In some embodiments, the ethylene glycol oligomer comprises at least one of diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol (TetraEG), and pentaethylene glycol (PentaEG), and the propylene glycol oligomer may comprise at least one of dipropylene glycol (DPG), tripropylene glycol (TPG), tetrapropylene glycol (TetraPG), and pentapropylene glycol (PentaPG).

[0026] In some embodiments, the functional additive may include at least one of polyethylene glycol (PEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol, and tripropylene glycol (TPG).

[0027] In some embodiments, the filter portion is a first filter portion, and the filter for the smoking article may further include a second filter portion disposed downstream of the first filter portion and not containing the activated carbon.

[0028]

[0029] According to a filter for a smoking article and a smoking article including the same according to one embodiment, by dispersing a functional additive in a regenerated cellulose tow containing activated carbon, the limitation of activated carbon having adsorption characteristics that are mainly favorable for gaseous components is compensated, and particulate components such as phenolic components are selectively removed, thereby improving the reduction effect of gaseous components and particulate components among harmful components generated during smoking.

[0030] Furthermore, according to a filter for a smoking article and a smoking article including the same according to one embodiment, by introducing activated carbon while or after spraying a functional additive onto a regenerated cellulose tow (e.g., lyocell tow) during the manufacturing process of the filter for a smoking article, the activated carbon is stably settled on the regenerated cellulose tow (e.g., lyocell tow), thereby minimizing the detachment rate of the activated carbon. Accordingly, contamination inside the manufacturing device is prevented, and the amount of detached activated carbon is minimized, which can reduce manufacturing costs and improve manufacturing efficiency. In addition, as the activated carbon is stably settled inside the regenerated cellulose tow, the problem of the activated carbon entering the consumer's oral cavity can also be minimized.

[0031] In other words, by preventing the detachment of activated carbon and maintaining the physical properties of filters for smoking products, the defect rate in the manufacturing process of filters for smoking products is reduced, and the quality stability of the manufactured smoking products can be ensured.

[0032]

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035]

[0036] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The advantages and features of the present disclosure and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the attached drawings. However, the technical concept of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments but can be implemented in various different forms. The following embodiments are provided merely to complete the technical concept of the present disclosure and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present disclosure, and the technical concept of the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0037] It should be noted that when assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the present disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions could obscure the essence of the present disclosure, such detailed description is omitted.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Additionally, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise. The terms used herein are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit this disclosure. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text.

[0039] Additionally, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used to describe the components of the present disclosure. These terms are intended only to distinguish the components from other components and do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. Where it is stated that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or joined to the other component, but that another component may also be "connected," "coupled," or "joined" between each component.

[0040] The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “contain,” “containing,” “include,” “including,” “have,” and / or “having” as used in this disclosure do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, actions, and / or elements other than those mentioned.

[0041] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, “or” means “or” in an inclusive sense, not in an exclusive sense. For example, condition A or B is satisfied in any one of the following cases: when A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist); when A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists); or when both A and B are true (or exist).

[0042] The use of the terms “at least one” or “one or more” is understood to include not only one but also any quantity exceeding one. Furthermore, the use of the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z” is understood to include not only cases involving only X, only Y, or only Z, but also any combination of X, Y, and Z.

[0043] References to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” as used herein mean that a specific element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in relation to such embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Furthermore, the expression “in one embodiment” as used in various parts of the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0044] First, we will clarify some terms used in this specification.

[0045] In this specification, the term "smoking article" may mean any product capable of smoking or any product capable of providing a smoking experience, regardless of whether it is based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, or tobacco substitutes. For example, a smoking article may include products capable of smoking, such as cigarettes, cigars, and cigarillos.

[0046] In this specification, "smoking material" may mean any type of material that can be used in a smoking article.

[0047] In this specification, "upstream" or "upstream direction" means a direction away from the smoker's bulb, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" may mean a direction closer to the smoker's bulb.

[0048] In this specification, "longitudinal direction" may mean a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article.

[0049] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0050] In this specification, "smoking material" may mean any type of material that can be used in a smoking article.

[0051] In this specification, the term “user” may be used interchangeably with “consumer” or “smoker.”

[0052] In this specification, "upstream" or "upstream direction" means a direction away from the smoker's bulb, and "downstream" or "downstream direction" may mean a direction toward the smoker's bulb.

[0053] In this specification, "longitudinal direction" may mean a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article. The “longitudinal axis” of the smoking article may mean an imaginary line extending along the main longitudinal direction of the smoking article. This axis generally extends from one end of the smoking article (e.g., the end of the mouthpiece or filter) to the opposite end (e.g., the end of the combustion or heat source).

[0054] In this specification, “lyocell filter” refers to a filter comprising or composed of lyocell tow.

[0055] In this specification, “lyocell tow” comprises a plurality of lyocell fibers or is composed of a plurality of lyocell fibers. In some embodiments, a lyocell tow may refer to a bundle formed by cross-connecting adjacent lyocell fibers.

[0056] In this specification, “lyocell fiber” may mean a fiber made of lyocell cellulose. In particular, lyocell fiber may be a fiber made of cellulose derived from or mainly derived from wood pulp, in particular a regenerated cellulose fiber.

[0057] In this specification, “irregular cross-section” is defined as a cross-section whose shape is not circular but includes a plurality of protrusions. For example, a cross-section in which a plurality of protrusions branch and / or extend from a center and / or the center of the cross-section may be called an irregular cross-section. Here, “protrusion” may refer to a distinct and extended segment or arm extending outward from the central core or bonding point of the lyocell fiber cross-section.

[0058] In some embodiments, the lyocell fiber may have a Y-shaped cross section with three protrusions branching and / or extending from the center and / or the center of the cross section, a cross-shaped cross section with four protrusions, and / or a star-shaped cross section with five or more protrusions, and may have an O-shaped cross section, but is not limited thereto.

[0059] In some embodiments, the lyocell fiber may include three or more protrusions branching and / or extending from the center and / or the center of the cross section.

[0060] In some embodiments, the lyocell fibers included in the lyocell tow may have a Y-shaped cross-section for use in cigarette filters.

[0061] In this specification, "hollow" may mean a channel extended along the longitudinal direction.

[0062] In this specification, "consists of (consists of)" an element may mean being composed of said element.

[0063] In this specification, “wrapping” for a smoking article by a wrapper may refer to the wrapper surrounding at least a portion of the surface surrounding a longitudinal axis of each part (part), segment and / or structure of the smoking article.

[0064] In this specification, “basis weight” refers to the mass per unit area of ​​a roll and / or wrapper. The basis weight of a roll and / or wrapper may be determined by measuring the mass and area of ​​the roll and / or wrapper and dividing the mass of the roll and / or wrapper by the area. The unit of basis weight may be gsm (gram per square meter), i.e., g / m².

[0065] In this specification, “hard paper” refers to paper having a basis weight greater than a certain value.

[0066] In some embodiments, “general paper” may refer to paper that has not been treated with oil resistance on its surface, and “general hard paper” may refer to hard paper that has not been treated with oil resistance on its surface.

[0067] In this specification, the “mono-denier” of a lyocell tow refers to the fineness of a single monofilament strand separated from the multifilaments of the lyocell fibers constituting the lyocell tow.

[0068] In this specification, the “total denier” of a lyocell tow refers to the fineness of the multifilaments of the lyocell fibers constituting the lyocell tow.

[0069] Filters for smoking products can capture at least some of the smoke components generated when smoking the smoking product.

[0070] In this specification, “suction resistance” refers to the static pressure difference between the two ends of a sample when an airflow crosses the sample. For example, suction resistance can be measured using the method specified in ISO standard 6565:2015. According to ISO standard 6565:2015, suction resistance may refer to the static pressure difference between the two ends of a sample when crossed by an airflow under normal conditions (22±2 °C, relative humidity 60±5%) where the volumetric flow rate at the discharge end is 17.5 mm per second.

[0071] In this specification, unless a separate physical quantity is indicated, component % and component ratio refer to the weight % of the component and the weight ratio of the component, respectively.

[0072] In this specification, the unit "mmH2O" means "mmWG" as a unit of pressure.

[0073] In this specification, "phenols" refers to substances in which some of the hydrogen attached to the functional group of an aromatic hydrocarbon ring is substituted with a hydroxyl group (-OH).

[0074] In some embodiments, the phenols may include substances selected from the group consisting of catechol, hydroquinone, m-cresol, p-cresol, o-cresol, phenol, resorcinol, and combinations thereof.

[0075] In some embodiments, phenols include catechol, hydroquinone, m-cresol and p-cresol, o-cresol, phenol and resorcinol.

[0076] The filter of the smoking article can capture at least some of the smoke components generated when the smoking article is smoked. In some embodiments, the filter of the smoking article can capture at least some of the phenols contained in the smoke components generated when the smoking article is smoked.

[0077] In this specification, "activated carbon powder" refers to activated carbon composed of particles with a particle diameter of less than 0.18 mm. In this specification, "activated carbon particles" refers to activated carbon composed of particles with a particle diameter of 0.18 mm to 5 mm. The particle diameter can be measured by laser diffraction, and in particular, for particles with a diameter of less than 0.18 mm, it can be measured by laser diffraction. Additionally, the particle diameter can be measured by sieve analysis, and in particular, for particles with a diameter of 0.18 mm or more, it can be measured by sieve analysis.

[0078] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0079] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic cross-sectional view of a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] Throughout the specification, "smoking article" may refer to an article capable of generating an aerosol, such as a cigarette, a cigar, etc. A smoking article may include an aerosol-generating substance and / or an aerosol-forming substrate. Additionally, a smoking article may include a solid material based on tobacco raw materials, such as sheet tobacco, loose tobacco, or reconstituted tobacco. A smoking substance may include a volatile compound.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a smoking article (100) comprises a smoking material part (10) and a filter part (20), a smoking material part wrapper (30a), a filter part wrapper (30b), and a tip paper (40). A filter for a smoking article according to the present invention may include a filter part (20) and a filter part wrapper (30b) surrounding the filter part (20). In the smoking article (100), the smoking material part (10) is located upstream of the filter part (20).

[0082] In some embodiments, the smoking material part (10) may be filled with a smoking material such as raw tobacco leaves, leaf tobacco, or a mixture of tobacco leaves and leaf tobacco. In some embodiments, the processed smoking material may be filled into the smoking material part (10) in the form of a sheet or a stick. In some embodiments, the smoking material part (10) may have a long, extended rod shape, and its length, circumference, and diameter are not specifically limited but may be adjusted to sizes generally used in the relevant technical field, taking into account the amount of smoking material filled, the user (consumer)'s preference, etc.

[0083] In some embodiments, the smoking material part (10) may include at least one aerosol generating material selected from glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, and oleyl alcohol. In some embodiments, the smoking material part (10) may contain other additive materials such as flavoring agents, humectants, and / or acetate compounds. In some embodiments, the aerosol generating material and / or additive materials may be contained in the smoking material.

[0084] In some embodiments, the smoking material part (10) may be wrapped by a smoking material part wrapper (30a).

[0085] In some embodiments, the smoking material part (10) may be wrapped by a smoking material part wrapper (30a). Some of the cigarette smoke generated during the combustion process of a typical smoking material part (10) is released into the atmosphere through the smoking material part wrapper (30a) before passing through the cigarette filter, and the sidestream smoke causes discomfort to secondhand smokers. Various attempts have been made to reduce this sidestream smoke by adding fillers such as magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, cerium oxide, aluminum oxide, calcium carbonate, and zirconium carbonate to conventional cigarette paper. However, simply applying these fillers to reduce sidestream smoke results in a decrease in smoking sensation, combustion failure, or reduced re-solidification, making it difficult to solve the aforementioned problems through an appropriate combination of materials in the filler. In some embodiments, the smoking material wrapper (30a) may be provided with a filler mixed with magnesium oxide (MgO) and / or magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to reduce sidestream smoke while simultaneously preventing a decrease in smoky flavor, reduced refractory properties, and combustion failure.

[0086]

[0087] In some embodiments, a filter for a smoking item may be positioned downstream of the smoking material section (10). The filter section (20) of the filter for a smoking item may be positioned downstream of the smoking material section (10) and serves as a filter through which aerosol material generated from the smoking material section (10) passes just before being inhaled by a user (consumer or smoker). The filter section (20) may be manufactured in various materials or shapes.

[0088] In some embodiments, the filter for the smoking article may include a filter portion (20) and a filter portion wrapper (30b) surrounding the filter portion (20).

[0089] The filter unit (20) according to the present invention may include a regenerated cellulose tow comprising a plurality of regenerated cellulose-based fibers, activated carbon included inside the regenerated cellulose tow, and a functional additive dispersed in the regenerated cellulose tow.

[0090] In some embodiments, the filter for a smoking article comprising the regenerated cellulose tow may replace all or part of the filter portion (20) of the existing smoking article, and if it replaces part, the filter material previously used may be used together. The existing filter material may be, for example, a cellulose acetate filter, a hollow tube filter, etc. In some embodiments, the filter portion (20) may be made of (constituted) regenerated cellulose tow.

[0091] In FIG. 1, the filter section (20) is shown as a mono filter consisting of a single filter, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the filter section (20) may be provided as a dual filter or a triple filter having two or more filters to increase filter efficiency.

[0092] In some embodiments, the filter section (20) may include a dual filter comprising a first filter section (21) and a second filter section (22) positioned downstream of the first filter section (21), as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the filter section according to the present invention, comprising a plurality of regenerated cellulose fibers, activated carbon, and functional additives, may be positioned between the smoking material section (10) and the second filter section (22). That is, by including activated carbon in the first filter section (21) and not including activated carbon in the second filter section (22), it is possible to prevent the activated carbon from escaping into the user's mouth.

[0093] However, not limited thereto, if the filter section (20) is a dual filter comprising a first filter section (21) and a second filter section (22) positioned downstream of the first filter section (21) as shown in FIG. 2, at least one of the first filter section (21) and the second filter section (22) may be a filter according to the present invention comprising regenerated cellulose tow, activated carbon, and a functional additive.

[0094] In some embodiments, when the filter section (20) is provided as a dual filter or a triple filter, one of the filters may be a filter (hereinafter referred to as an activated carbon regenerated cellulose filter) comprising a regenerated cellulose tow containing the regenerated cellulose fiber of the present invention, activated carbon disposed inside the regenerated cellulose tow, and a functional additive dispersed in the regenerated cellulose tow, and another of the filters may be a cellulose acetate filter and / or a paper filter. In this case, the length of the regenerated cellulose filter of the present invention may be 25% to 50% of the total length of the filter section (20).

[0095] In this specification, regenerated cellulose-based fibers may refer to cellulose-based fibers formed by processing naturally occurring cellulose-based materials.

[0096] In some embodiments, the regenerated cellulose-based fiber may include at least one of viscose fiber and lyocell fiber, and preferably, the regenerated cellulose-based fiber may be a lyocell fiber.

[0097] In some embodiments, the regenerated cellulose tow comprising or composed of a plurality of regenerated cellulose-based fibers may be a lyocell tow comprising or composed of a plurality of lyocell fibers.

[0098] In some embodiments, the lyocell tow may comprise only a plurality of lyocell fibers and may not include additional fibers other than said lyocell fibers. That is, in some embodiments, the lyocell tow may be composed of a plurality of lyocell fibers. Since the lyocell tow is composed solely of lyocell fibers, the biodegradability of a filter for a smoking article comprising a filter portion containing the lyocell tow may be excellent.

[0099] In the following description, regenerated cellulose-based fibers are lyocell fibers and regenerated cellulose tow is lyocell tow. However, this is not limited thereto, and regenerated cellulose-based fibers are not limited to any cellulose-based fibers that have not been chemically modified.

[0100] In some embodiments, the filter wrapper (30b) surrounds the filter (20) and can wrap the filter (20).

[0101] In some embodiments, the filter wrapper (30b) may include a roll of paper. The filter wrapper (30b) may include a regular roll of paper or a hard roll of paper.

[0102] In some embodiments, the filter wrapper (30b) may comprise a porous ordinary roll. In some embodiments, the filter wrapper (30b) may comprise a porous ordinary roll having a porosity of 20K to 50K, 22K to 46K, preferably 23K to 25K, or 34K to 36K, or 44K to 46K, more preferably 24K, 35K, or 45K. In some embodiments, the filter wrapper (30b) may comprise a porous ordinary roll having a porosity of 24K. A filter for a smoking article according to some embodiments of the present invention may have improved biodegradability by the filter wrapper (30b) comprising a porous ordinary roll rather than an oil-resistant ordinary roll or a hard roll.

[0103] However, the filter wrapper (30b) may include hard paper, but is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, in this specification, hard paper may refer to paper having a basis weight greater than or equal to a predetermined numerical range. In particular, hard paper may refer to paper having a basis weight of 40 gsm or more, preferably 50 gsm or more, more preferably 60 gsm or more, even more preferably 70 gsm or more, and even more preferably 75 gsm or more. General paper may refer to paper having a basis weight of less than 40 gsm, preferably 38 gsm or less, and more preferably 36 gsm or less.

[0104] Additionally, the filter wrapper (30b) may include a standard roll or a hard roll that has been treated with oil resistance, but is not limited thereto.

[0105] In some embodiments, the smoking material part (10) wrapped by the smoking material part wrapper (30a) and the filter part (20) wrapped by the filter part wrapper (30b) may be combined and wrapped by tip paper (40). The tip paper (40) may be wrapped around at least a portion of the smoking material part wrapper (30a) (e.g., a downstream portion) and the outer edge of the filter part wrapper (30b), as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, at least a portion of the smoking material part (10) and the filter part (20) may be further wrapped by tip paper (40) and physically combined.

[0106] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the tip paper (40) may be made of non-porous rolled paper that is not oil-resistant, but is not limited thereto. In addition, in some embodiments, the tip paper (40) may include a non-combustible material to prevent the filter portion (20) from burning, but is not limited thereto.

[0107]

[0108] Hereinafter, the filter portion (20) of the filter for a smoking product according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0109] An embodiment according to the present invention relates to a filter for a smoking article (100) included therein. A filter for a smoking article according to one embodiment of the present invention further comprises a filter portion (20) including a lyocell tow containing lyocell fibers, activated carbon included inside the lyocell tow, and a functional additive dispersed in the lyocell tow, and a filter portion wrapper (30b) surrounding the filter portion (20).

[0110] In some embodiments, the activated carbon may be uniformly distributed within the lyocell tow along the longitudinal direction of the lyocell tow. However, not limited thereto, in some embodiments, the activated carbon may be non-uniformly distributed within the lyocell tow along the longitudinal direction of the lyocell tow.

[0111] In some embodiments, activated carbon can be manufactured by carbonizing wood, bamboo, sawdust, coconut shells, lignin, lignite, peat, etc., followed by activation and purification. Activated carbon can be classified into powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon depending on its form. In some embodiments, powdered activated carbon or granular activated carbon may be used.

[0112] In some embodiments, activated carbon can perform the function of absorbing gaseous components in mainstream smoke generated during smoking.

[0113] In some embodiments, the activated carbon may have a specific surface area capable of absorbing aerosols contained in mainstream smoke. The specific surface area of ​​the activated carbon may be 600 to 3000 m² / g. Preferably, the specific surface area of ​​the activated carbon may be 700 to 2500 m² / g. More preferably, the specific surface area of ​​the activated carbon may be 1000 to 2000 m² / g. However, the specific surface area of ​​the activated carbon is not necessarily limited to the above ranges, and the activated carbon may have any specific surface area sufficient to absorb aerosols from mainstream smoke. The specific surface area may be measured using the BET gas adsorption method according to ISO 9277 (2014-01).

[0114] In some embodiments, activated carbon may be included in the lyocell tow in an amount of 0.5 mg / mm to 4 mg / mm, 0.6 mg / mm to 3.9 mg / mm, 0.7 mg / mm to 3.8 mg / mm, 0.8 mg / mm to 3.7 mg / mm, 0.9 mg / mm to 3.6 mg / mm, 1.0 mg / mm to 3.5 mg / mm, 1.1 mg / mm to 3.4 mg / mm, 1.2 mg / mm to 3.3 mg / mm, 1.3 mg / mm to 3.2 mg / mm, 1.4 mg / mm to 3.1 mg / mm, or 1.5 mg / mm to 3.0 mg / mm based on the longitudinal direction of the lyocell tow, but is not limited thereto.

[0115] In some embodiments, the functional additive may be dispersed on the lyocell tow. The functional additive may be uniformly dispersed over the entire area of ​​the lyocell tow and distributed over the entire area of ​​the lyocell tow constituting the filter section (20) or the first filter section (21).

[0116] In some embodiments, the functional additive can perform the function of specifically reducing phenolic substances generated during smoking. In addition, the functional additive can perform the function of preventing the activated carbon introduced onto the lyocell tow from escaping outside the lyocell tow by being sprayed onto the lyocell tow before or simultaneously with the introduction of activated carbon during the manufacturing process of the filter for smoking products.

[0117] In some embodiments, the functional additive may be included in the lyocell tow or uniformly dispersed on the surface of the lyocell fibers constituting the lyocell tow.

[0118] In some embodiments, the functional additive may comprise at least one of polyethylene glycol (PEG), an oligomer which is a compound with a short chain structure formed by the bonding of a small number of polyhydric alcohols that are monomer units of the same structure, or an ether derivative of said oligomer. The oligomer may be a low molecular weight polymer in which two or more polyhydric alcohols of the same structure are repeatedly bonded, and the ether derivative of said oligomer may be a polymer in which at least one hydroxyl group (-OH) of said polymer is substituted in an ether form. As used herein, "oligomer" refers to a short chain structure formed by bonding a small number of monomers, and in particular refers to a structure in which 2 to 10 monomers are bonded.

[0119] In some embodiments, the polyhydric alcohol constituting the oligomer as an example material of the functional additive may include one of ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG).

[0120] In some embodiments, the functional additive may comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), ethylene glycol oligomers, ethylene glycol oligomer ether derivatives which are ether derivatives of the ethylene glycol oligomers, propylene glycol oligomers, and propylene glycol oligomer ether derivatives which are ether derivatives of the propylene glycol oligomers.

[0121] In some embodiments, the ethylene glycol oligomer comprises at least one of diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol (TetraEG), and pentaethylene glycol (PentaEG), and the propylene glycol oligomer may comprise at least one of dipropylene glycol (DPG), tripropylene glycol (TPG), tetrapropylene glycol (TetraPG), and pentapropylene glycol (PentaPG).

[0122] In some embodiments, the functional additive may include at least one of polyethylene glycol (PEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol, and tripropylene glycol (TPG), and preferably, the functional additive may include polyethylene glycol (PEG).

[0123] In some embodiments, the polyethylene glycol (PEG) included in the functional additive may have a weight average molecular weight (MW) of 100 to 2000. Although not limited thereto, in some embodiments, the polyethylene glycol (PEG) may have a weight average molecular weight (MW) of 100 to 600.

[0124] In some embodiments, PEG as an example material of a functional additive may not act as a plasticizer for lyocell fibers. Accordingly, even though a functional additive containing PEG is applied to the surface of a lyocell fiber, the lyocell fiber may not be plasticized by the functional additive.

[0125] A filter for smoking products to which lyocell tow according to the present invention is applied may have a superior effect in reducing phenols, which are particulate components generated during smoking, compared to a filter for smoking products that does not contain functional additives, by including functional additives dispersed on the surface of lyocell fibers and / or on lyocell tow, thereby selectively removing particulate components such as phenols in mainstream smoke together with activated carbon that adsorbs and reduces gaseous components.

[0126] In addition, compared to a manufacturing process in which activated carbon is introduced onto lyocell tow without added functional additives, the loss rate of the introduced activated carbon is reduced by including functional additives dispersed on the surface of the lyocell fibers and / or on the lyocell tow, thereby improving the efficiency of the filter manufacturing process.

[0127] In some embodiments, the amount of functional additive added may vary depending on the content of regenerated cellulose fibers in the filter for smoking articles, i.e., the content (or area) of lyocell fibers, but may be 0.1 mg / mm to 5.0 mg / mm, 0.2 mg / mm to 4.5 mg / mm, 0.3 mg / mm to 4.0 mg / mm, 0.4 mg / mm to 3.5 mg / mm, or 0.5 mg / mm to 3.0 mg / mm. Within these numerical ranges, excellent phenol reduction performance can be achieved, and the detachment rate of activated carbon during the manufacture of the smoking article filter can be minimized.

[0128]

[0129] Hereinafter, the structure of the present invention and the resulting effects will be explained in more detail through examples and comparative examples. However, these examples are intended to explain the present invention more specifically, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0130]

[0131] Comparative Example 1

[0132] A lyocell filter with a circumference of 24.72 mm and a length of 27 mm was manufactured according to the conditions described in Comparative Example 1 of Table 1 below, and a smoking article with a total length of 84 mm was manufactured by combining the manufactured lyocell filter and a smoking material part with a length of 57 mm with a tip paper.

[0133]

[0134] Example 1

[0135] A lyocell filter was manufactured according to the conditions described in Example 1 of Table 1 below, with a circumference of 24.40 mm and a length of 27 mm, and PEG was added as a functional additive at a rate of 0.65 mg / mm. A smoking article with a total length of 84 mm was manufactured by combining the manufactured lyocell filter with a smoking material part having a length of 57 mm using a tip paper.

[0136]

[0137] Example 2

[0138] A lyocell filter was manufactured according to the conditions described in Example 2 of Table 1 below, with a circumference of 24.43 mm and a length of 27 mm, and 0.65 mg / mm of TEG was added as a functional additive, and a smoking article with a total length of 84 mm was manufactured by combining the lyocell filter and a smoking material part with a length of 57 mm with a tip paper.

[0139]

[0140] Classification Weight (mg) Circumference (mm) Vent (%) PDO (mmH2O) PDC (mmH2O) Roundness (%) Comparative Example 1859 24.727 2.457 7.315 2.39 4.66 Example 1877 24.406 9.838 3.816 1.69 4.82 Example 2873 24.437 3.378 1.316 6.69 5.31

[0141]

[0142] Experimental Example 1: Evaluation of Phenol Reduction Performance with Addition of Functional Additives

[0143] Smoke components of the smoking product according to Comparative Example 1 and Example 1-2 were collected using a Cambridge filter pad (CFP) by using a cigarette smoking machine HAUNI LX20 manual (Linear type) as a smoking device, and 30 mL of 1% acetic acid was added and stirred to extract the substance collected on the pad. The mixture was then filtered through a 0.45 μm PVDF syringe filter and analyzed using Water's Alliance HPLC-FLD analyzer, and the results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0144]

[0145] Classification Phenol (ug) m+p+o cresol Comparative Example 139.328.9 Example 121.618.1 Example 229.324.2

[0146]

[0147] As shown in Table 2 above, it can be confirmed that the phenol migration amounts of Examples 1 and 2, in which PEG and TEG were added as functional additives (21.6 µg and 29.3 µg, respectively), are reduced compared to the phenol migration amount of Comparative Example 1 (39.3 µg) in which no functional additive was added. In other words, it can be confirmed that the functional additive has phenol reduction performance.

[0148]

[0149] Comparative Example 2 (CA filter + TEC + activated carbon)

[0150] A filter for smoking products was manufactured by adding 0.65 mg / mm of TEC as a plasticizer and 2 mg / mm of activated carbon to cellulose acetate tow, and wrapping the cellulose acetate tow with filter paper to produce a filter with a length of 96 mm and a circumference of 24.2 mm.

[0151]

[0152] Comparative Example 3 (CA filter + activated carbon)

[0153] A filter for smoking articles was manufactured in the same manner as Comparative Example 2, except that no plasticizer (TEC) was added to the cellulose acetate tow.

[0154]

[0155] Example 3 (L-filter + PEG + activated carbon)

[0156] A filter for smoking products was manufactured by adding PEG as a functional additive at 0.65 mg / mm and activating carbon at 2 mg / mm to lyocell tow, wrapping the lyocell tow with a paper weight of 75 gsm, and having a length of 96 mm and a circumference of 24.2 mm.

[0157]

[0158] Example 4 (L-filter + activated carbon)

[0159] A filter for smoking products was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 3, except that no functional additive (PEG) was added to the lyocell tow.

[0160]

[0161] Experimental Example 2: Evaluation of Physical Properties of Filter

[0162] The physical properties (weight, inhalation resistance, etc.) of the filters for smoking articles of Comparative Example 2-3 and Example 3-4, which have a length of 96 mm, were measured, and the results are shown in Table 3 below.

[0163]

[0164] Classification Length (mm) Circumference (mm) Amount of Activated Carbon Added (mg / mm) Weight (mg) Suction Resistance (mmH2O) Circumference (mm) Comparative Example 2 (CA+TEC+AC) 96 24.22 74 4.73 36.72 3.79 Comparative Example 3 (CA+AC) 71 9.23 40.52 3.76 Example 3 (L+PEG+AC) 92 3.43 64.42 3.75 Example 4 (L+AC) 86 3.73 51.32 3.77

[0165]

[0166] As shown in Table 3 above, it can be confirmed that when activated carbon is added in the same amount and the content of the plasticizer added in Comparative Example 2 and the functional additive added in Example 3 are the same, similar suction resistance and a weight that does not cause problems with manufacturing workability can be maintained.

[0167]

[0168] Experimental Example 3: Evaluation of Iodine Adsorption Capacity of Activated Carbon with Additive Application

[0169] The filters for smoking products according to Comparative Example 2 and Examples 3-4, which have a length of 96 mm, were divided into eight equal parts, and multiple activated carbons inserted into the filters for smoking products with a length of 12 mm were collected respectively. The iodine adsorption capacity of the activated carbons included in Comparative Example 2 and Examples 3-4 was analyzed, and the results are shown in Table 4 below.

[0170]

[0171] Test Item Unit Experiment Method Example 4 Comparative Example 2 Example 3 Iodine Adsorption Capacity mg / g KS M 1803-a1096873881

[0172]

[0173] Referring to Table 4, it can be seen that the iodine adsorption capacity (881 mg / g) of the activated carbon introduced in Example 3, in which PEG was added as a functional additive, and the iodine adsorption capacity (873 mg / g) of the activated carbon introduced in Comparative Example 2, in which TEC was added as a plasticizer, are slightly lower than the iodine adsorption capacity (1096 mg / g) of the activated carbon introduced in Example 4, in which no functional additive was added. This suggests that the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon decreases as the functional additive or plasticizer remains on the surface of the activated carbon. Meanwhile, it can be seen that the adsorption capacities of the activated carbon introduced in Comparative Example 2 and Example 3, in which a plasticizer and a functional additive were applied respectively, are similar. Accordingly, it can be confirmed that activated carbon can be applied to a lyocell filter with a functional additive that has phenol reduction performance at a level similar to the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon in a conventional cellulose acetate filter containing activated carbon.

[0174]

[0175] Experimental Example 4: Analysis of filter hardness and activated carbon shedding rate according to additive application

[0176]

[0177] The hardness of the filters for smoking products according to Comparative Example 2-3 and Example 3-4 was measured, and the filters for smoking products according to Comparative Example 2-3 and Example 3-4 were placed on a sieve shaker and operated for 10 minutes to measure the weight of the activated carbon that fell (or detached) from the filter. The ratio of the weight of the detached activated carbon to the weight of the activated carbon introduced was then calculated to determine the detachment rate, which is shown in Table 5 below.

[0178]

[0179] Classification Hardness (%) Activated Carbon Shedding Weight (mg) Shedding Rate (%) Comparative Example 2 (CA Filter + TEC + AC) 8 2.1 1.7 0.9 Comparative Example 3 (CA Filter + AC) 9 1 3.1 1.6 Example 3 (L Filter + PEG + AC) 9 0.3 2.0 1.0 Example 4 (L Filter + AC) 8 9.4 3.3 2.1.8

[0180] Referring to Table 5, it can be seen that the activated carbon detachment rate of Example 3, in which PEG was added as a functional additive, is 1.0%, and the activated carbon detachment rate of Example 4, in which no functional additive was added, is 1.8%. This confirms that adding a functional additive has the advantage of preventing the detachment of activated carbon within the lyocell filter. Furthermore, since Example 3 has a similar detachment rate to Comparative Example 2 but a higher filter hardness, it can be confirmed that Example 3 can secure excellent hardness while having a similar activated carbon detachment rate. Additionally, since Example 3 has a similar hardness to Comparative Example 3 but a significantly lower activated carbon detachment rate, it can be confirmed that Example 3 has the advantage of minimizing the activated carbon detachment rate while maintaining similar hardness and excellent biodegradability.

[0181]

[0182] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be practiced in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential features thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present disclosure shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the technical concepts defined by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A filter section comprising a regenerated cellulose tow containing regenerated cellulose-based fibers, activated carbon contained within the regenerated cellulose tow, and a functional additive dispersed in the regenerated cellulose tow; comprising Filter for smoking products.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned regenerated cellulose-based fiber comprises at least one of viscose fiber or lyocell fiber, Filter for smoking products.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned regenerated cellulose-based fiber includes lyocell fiber, and The above-mentioned regenerated cellulose tow is lyocell tow, Filter for smoking products.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above functional additive comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), ethylene glycol oligomers, ethylene glycol oligomer ether derivatives which are ether derivatives of the ethylene glycol oligomers, propylene glycol oligomers, and propylene glycol oligomer ether derivatives which are ether derivatives of the propylene glycol oligomers. Filter for smoking products.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above ethylene glycol oligomer comprises at least one of diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol (TetraEG), and pentaethylene glycol (PentaEG), and The above propylene glycol oligomer comprises at least one of dipropylene glycol (DPG), tripropylene glycol (TPG), tetrapropylene glycol (TetraPG), and pentapropylene glycol (PentaPG). Filter for smoking products.

6. In Paragraph 5, The above functional additive comprises at least one of polyethylene glycol (PEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol (TetraEG), and tripropylene glycol (TPG). Filter for smoking products.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above functional additive includes polyethylene glycol (PEG), Filter for smoking products.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above functional additive is characterized by being a phenol-reducing substance, Filter for smoking products.

9. In Paragraph 1, The above activated carbon is applied to at least one of powdered activated carbon and granular activated carbon, Filter for smoking products.

10. In Paragraph 1, The above activated carbon is included in an amount of 0.5 mg / mm to 4 mg / mm based on the length of the above regenerated cellulose tow, Filter for smoking products.

11. In Paragraph 1, It further includes a filter wrapper that encloses the above filter part, The above filter section wrapper comprises a roll of paper having a basis weight of 40 gsm to 160 gsm, Filter for smoking products.

12. Smoking substance part; and It includes a filter for a smoking article disposed downstream of the above-mentioned smoking material part, The filter for the above-mentioned smoking product is, A filter unit comprising a regenerated cellulose tow containing regenerated cellulose-based fibers, activated carbon contained within the regenerated cellulose tow, and a functional additive dispersed in the regenerated cellulose tow; and It includes a filter wrapper surrounding the filter portion, The above functional additive comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG), ethylene glycol oligomers, ethylene glycol oligomer ether derivatives which are ether derivatives of the ethylene glycol oligomers, propylene glycol oligomers, and propylene glycol oligomer ether derivatives which are ether derivatives of the propylene glycol oligomers. Smoking items.

13. In Paragraph 12, The above ethylene glycol oligomer comprises at least one of diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol (TetraEG), and pentaethylene glycol (PentaEG), and The above propylene glycol oligomer comprises at least one of dipropylene glycol (DPG), tripropylene glycol (TPG), tetrapropylene glycol (TetraPG), and pentapropylene glycol (PentaPG). Smoking items.

14. In Paragraph 13, The above functional additive comprises at least one of polyethylene glycol (PEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol, and tripropylene glycol (TPG). Smoking items.

15. In Paragraph 12, The above filter section is a first filter section, and The above-mentioned filter for smoking products further comprises a second filter section disposed downstream of the first filter section and not including the activated carbon, Smoking items.