Tobacco Smoke Filter and Methods of Making the Same

Abstract

A tobacco smoke filter ( 10 ) can comprise a spiral core ( 11 ) of impermeable or semi-permeable material. A filter spiral core ( 11 ) is surrounded by filter material ( 12 ) such as cellulose acetate and wrapped in paper ( 13 ).

1 . A tobacco smoke filter comprising:
 a generally cylindrical enclosure having an inner diameter;   a helical element having a diameter and disposed in the enclosure, wherein the diameter of the helical element is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the enclosure; and   filtration means disposed between the helical element and the enclosure.   
   
   
       2 . A tobacco smoke filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises plug wrap. 
   
   
       3 . A tobacco smoke filter according to  claim 2 , wherein the plug wrap comprises a plurality of ventilation holes. 
   
   
       4 . A tobacco smoke filter according to  claim 3 , wherein the ventilation holes are positioned to correspond to regions of the enclosure which do not overlie the helical element. 
   
   
       5 . A tobacco smoke filter according to  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is at least two layers. 
   
   
       6 . A tobacco smoke filter according to  claim 6 , wherein the enclosure is an outer layer of plug wrap and an inner layer of cellulose acetate. 
   
   
       7 . A tobacco smoke filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the helical element comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, paper, carbon paper, or impregnated paper. 
   
   
       8 . A tobacco smoke filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the helical element comprises a coating layer on an outer surface thereof. 
   
   
       9 . A tobacco smoke filter according to  claim 8 , wherein the coating layer comprises activated charcoal, activated coconut carbon, activated coal-based carbon, zeolite, silica gel, meerschaum, aluminium oxide, carbonaceous resin, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       10 . A tobacco smoke filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the helical element is in contact with the inner diameter of the enclosure;
 the helical element is laterally compressible; and   the helical element maintains contact with the inner diameter of the enclosure after compression.   
   
   
       11 . A tobacco smoke filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtration means comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, polypropylene, polyethylene, gathered paper, carbon, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       12 . A tobacco smoke filter according to  claim 11 , wherein the filtration means comprises randomly orientated cellulose acetate. 
   
   
       13 . A tobacco smoke filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtration means further comprises flavourant, adsorbent, or absorbent. 
   
   
       14 . A tobacco smoke filter according to any preceding claim, wherein the filtration means occupies substantially the entire space between the helical element and the inner diameter of the enclosure. 
   
   
       15 . A smoking article, comprising a tobacco smoke filter according to any of  claims 1 - 14 . 
   
   
       16 . A method of making a tobacco smoke filter, comprising:
 providing a generally cylindrical helix having intra helical turn space and having an outer edge defining a generally cylindrical shape;   placing filtration means in the intra helical turn space; and   enclosing the outer edge of the filled helix in an enclosure.