Cigarette filter

Abstract

The present invention concerns an at least partially transparent cigarette filter tipping film comprising a biodegradable substrate, and softener in an amount of less than 25% by weight of the biodegradable substrate, and a cigarette filter comprising a filtration material encased in a cylinder of the said tipping film.

1 . A cigarette filter tipping film comprising a biodegradable substrate, and softener in an amount of less than 25% by weight of the biodegradable substrate, the tipping film being at least partly transparent. 
     
     
         2 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 1  which exhibits an elongation in the machine direction of less than 15%. 
     
     
         3 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 1  which exhibits a tensile strength in the machine direction of more than 140 MPa. 
     
     
         4 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 1  which exhibits a Young's Modulus in the machine direction of more than 4000 MPa. 
     
     
         5 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 1  which exhibits a shrinkage under tropical conditions in the machine and/or transverse directions of less than 5%. 
     
     
         6 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 1  which exhibits a Haze of less than 2.15. 
     
     
         7 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 1  which exhibits a Gloss of more than 98. 
     
     
         8 . A cigarette filter tipping film comprising a biodegradable substrate, and softener in an amount of less than 25% by weight of the biodegradable substrate, the tipping film exhibiting:
 a. an elongation in the machine direction of less than 15%;   b. a tensile strength in the machine direction of more than 140 MPa;   c. a Young's Modulus in the machine direction of more than 4000 MPa;   d. a shrinkage under tropical conditions in the machine and/or transverse directions of less than 5%;   e. a Haze of less than 2.15; and/or   f. a Gloss of more than 98.   
     
     
         9 . The cigarette filter tipping film according  claim 8  being at least partly transparent. 
     
     
         10 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 1  wherein the biodegradable substrate is selected from cellulosic substrates, PLA substrates, starch based polymers and hydroxyalkanoates. 
     
     
         11 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 10  wherein the biodegradable substrate is a cellulosic substrate. 
     
     
         12 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 1 , wherein the softener is present in the tipping film in an amount of less than 24% by weight of the biodegradable substrate. 
     
     
         13 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 1 , wherein the softener is selected from glycerol, propane-1,2-diol, softeners mentioned in the TVO list, and combinations of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 1 , comprising an antiblock/winding aid additive. 
     
     
         15 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 14 , wherein the antiblock/winding aid additive is provided in an amount of less than about 0.5% by weight of the biodegradable substrate. 
     
     
         16 . The cigarette filter tipping film according to  claim 14 , wherein the antiblock/winding aid is selected from amorphous silica, polyethylene glycol, antiblock/winding aids mentioned in the TVO list, and combinations of two or more thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A cigarette filter comprising a filtration material encased in a cylinder of the tipping film of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A cigarette comprising a smokable substance and a filter according to  claim 17 . 
     
     
         19 . A cigarette filter plug material comprising the tipping film of  claim 1  when mechanically treated.