Filter Additive

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of producing a filter element for inclusion in a smoking article, the method comprising applying an additive to filter material, the additive being solid at room temperature and the method involving heating the additive so that it melts.

1 . A method for making a smoking article filter element comprising sheet material and an additive, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 i) applying an additive which is solid at room temperature to the filter material;   ii) heating the additive so as to melt it; and   iii) forming the filter material and additive into a filter element, wherein the steps of the method may be carried out in any order.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the additive material is applied to the filter material before formation of the filter element and subsequent heating of the additive. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the additive is heated and applied to the filter material as a liquid, before the formation of the filter element. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive comprises a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol which is solid at room temperature. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the polyethylene glycol is PEG 1000. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the additive is included in the filter element in an amount of up to about 50% by weight of the filter element. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter material is a non-woven sheet material or paper. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to any one of  claims 1 - 6 , wherein the filter material is a fibrous tow. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter element further comprises at least one adsorbent material. 
     
     
         10 . A filter element for a smoking article, comprising filter material and an additive which is solid at room temperature, wherein the filter element is obtained or obtainable by a method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims. 
     
     
         11 . A filter for a smoking article, comprising a filter element as claimed in  claim 10 . 
     
     
         12 . A smoking article comprising a filter element as claimed in  claim 10  and/or a filter as claimed in  claim 11 , and a rod of smokeable filler material. 
     
     
         13 . A smoking article according to  claim 12 , wherein the article is a cigarette.