Fibre

Abstract

An apparatus for forming a polycomponent fibre having a first, fibre forming component comprising a polymer, and a second, component comprising an active ingredient that will selectively reduce or remove components of tobacco smoke. The apparatus has a first reservoir for containing the first component, and a second reservoir for containing the dispersion, second solution or liquid. The dispersion, second solution or liquid includes the second component. The apparatus also has a polycomponent spinnerette adapted to coextrude the first component and the second component to form the polycomponent fibre. The apparatus also includes a first conduit for connecting the first reservoir to the spinnerette, and a second conduit for connecting the second reservoir to the spinnerette.

1 . An apparatus for forming a polycomponent fibre comprising a first, fibre forming component comprising a polymer, and a second, component comprising an active ingredient that will selectively reduce or remove components of tobacco smoke, the apparatus comprising a first reservoir for containing the first component, a second reservoir for containing the dispersion, second solution or liquid comprising the second component;
 a polycomponent spinnerette adapted to coextrude the first component and the second component to form a polycomponent fibre;   a first conduit for connecting the first reservoir to the spinnerette;   a second conduit for connecting the second reservoir to the spinnerette.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the spinnerette comprises a plurality of apertures or jets, and the apparatus is adapted to form a plurality of fibres. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the spinnerette comprises 2 to 600 apertures. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a heating chamber for heating the or each fibre after extrusion. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising combining means for combining the plurality of fibres to form an end. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each polycomponent fibre further comprises a third component, and the apparatus comprises a third reservoir for containing the third component, and a third conduit for connecting the third reservoir to the spinnerette, the spinnerette being adapted to co-extrude the first, second and third components. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each polycomponent fibre comprises a plurality of components, and the apparatus comprises a plurality of reservoirs, each reservoir being adapted to contain a component, and a plurality of conduits for connecting each of the reservoirs to the spinnerette, the spinnerette being adapted to co-extrude the plurality of components. 
     
     
         8 . The polycomponent fibre comprising a first, fibre-forming component comprising a polymer, and a second, component that contains an active ingredient to that will selectively reduce or remove components of tobacco smoke. 
     
     
         9 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 8 , wherein the second component comprises a non-polymer component. 
     
     
         10 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 8 , comprising an acetate fibre. 
     
     
         11 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 8 , wherein the first component comprises cellulose diacetate polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 8 , wherein the first component further comprises a pigment. 
     
     
         13 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 8 , wherein the first component comprises a plasticizer. 
     
     
         14 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 8 , wherein the active ingredient comprises particles. 
     
     
         15 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 14  wherein the particles comprise one or more of: activated carbon, ion exchange resin; zeolite. 
     
     
         16 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 8 , wherein the second component comprises a dispersant containing the active ingredient 
     
     
         17 . The polycomponent fibre according to claim  26 , wherein the dispersion concentration is in the range of 0.1% to 60% particles. 
     
     
         18 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 16 , wherein the dispersion comprises a dispersion additive. 
     
     
         19 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 8 , wherein the second component comprises a solution of the active ingredient. 
     
     
         20 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 8 , wherein the second component comprises a liquid. 
     
     
         21 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 8  comprising a third component. 
     
     
         22 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 21 , wherein the third component comprises a second active ingredient. 
     
     
         23 . The polycomponent fibre according to  claim 21  wherein the third component comprises an adhesive.