Filter For A Smoking Article

Abstract

The invention provides a filter element for a smoking article. The filter element comprisesa plug of filter material, and a tobacco thread, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material. The filter element can be used in a variety of smoking articles.

1 . A filter element for a smoking article, the filter element comprising a plug of filter material, and a tobacco thread, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material. 
     
     
         2 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally between mutually opposing end faces of the plug of filter material. 
     
     
         3 . The filter element according to  claim 2 , wherein the tobacco thread extends in a direction which is substantially parallel to a side face of the plug of filter material, which side face is substantially perpendicular to one or both end faces. 
     
     
         4 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco thread extends through an inner portion of, and is surrounded by, the filter material. 
     
     
         5 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco thread extends through substantially the center of the plug of filter material. 
     
     
         6 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco thread comprises shredded tobacco, powdered tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or cut tobacco. 
     
     
         7 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco thread comprises tobacco fibers or tobacco sheet. 
     
     
         8 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco thread is between 0.2 mm and 5 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         9 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the plug of filter material comprises cellulose acetate. 
     
     
         10 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the plug of filter material is between 5 mm and 15 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the filter element comprises a flavourant. 
     
     
         12 . A filter for the smoking article, the filter comprising the filter element according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . The filter according to  claim 12 , wherein the filter comprises a plurality of filter elements, at least one of which is a filter element comprising the plug of filter material, and the tobacco thread, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material. 
     
     
         14 . The filter according to  claim 12 , wherein the filter comprises an adsorbent filter element, which element comprises an adsorbent material. 
     
     
         15 . The filter according to  claim 14 , wherein the adsorbent material is activated carbon. 
     
     
         16 . The filter according to  claim 12 , wherein the filter comprises the filter element, which comprises filter material (such as, cellulose acetate), and which does not include a tobacco thread or adsorbent material. 
     
     
         17 . A smoking article comprising a filter element according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a filter element for a smoking article, the method comprising providing a tobacco thread through a plug of filter material, wherein the tobacco thread extends substantially longitudinally through the plug of filter material. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the method comprises introducing the tobacco thread into substantially the center of the filter material. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the method comprises using guide means to guide the tobacco thread as a tow of filter material is formed therearound. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the guide means comprises a guide tube through which the thread is entrained. 
     
     
         22 . A smoking article comprising a filter according to  claim 12 . 
     
     
         23 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco thread is between 0.4 mm and 3 mm in diameter. 
     
     
         24 . The filter element according to  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the plug of filter material is between 8 mm and 10 mm.