Cigarette filter with beaded carbon

US7784470B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Philip Morris USA Inc. · US

Inventors

• John B. Paine, III · Midlothian, US
• Zuyin Yang · Bozeman, US
• Kent B. Koller · Midlothian, US
• Jay A Fournier · Richmond, US
• Charles Thomas · Richmond, US
• Timothy S. Sherwood · Midlothian, US
• Zhaohua Luan · Midlothian, US
• Shuzhong Zhuang · Glen Allen, US
• Jose Nepomuceno · Beaverdam, US
• Diane L. Gee · Midlothian, US
• Georgios D. Karles · Richmond, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 9, 2003
• Grant date: Aug 31, 2010
• Expiry date: Aug 28, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01J20/28057
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A smoking article such as a cigarette comprises a tobacco rod and a filter component having a cavity filled with spherical beaded carbon. As mainstream tobacco smoke is drawn through the filter component, targeted gas phase smoke constituents are removed as the smoke passes through the carbon. During the filter manufacturing process the spherical beaded carbon flows like a liquid and substantially completely fills the cavity. Point-to-point contact between the spherical beads together with substantially complete filling of the cavity produces minimal channeling of ambulatory gas phase as well as maximum contact between the gas phase and the carbon surface of the spherical beads during smoking.