# US 2014/0196728 A1 · Tobacco smoke filter and method of production > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196728 A1 - Document ID: US20140196728A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/131,293 - Filed: 2012-07-04 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-07 - Inventors: Ahmad Fashihul Lisan; Sudirman Widiarto; Lee Philip O'donovan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196728A1 ## CPC - A24D 3/04: Tobacco smoke filters characterised by their shape or structure - A24D 3/00: Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter tips or filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces of cigars or cigarettes - A24D 3/0233: {by means of a garniture} - A24D 3/025: {Final operations, i.e. after the filter rod forming process (A24D3/0275 takes precedence)} - A24D 3/0275: {for filters with special features} - A24D 3/048: {containing additives} - A24D: CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES OF CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES ## Abstract A method of producing a flavoured tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising a self sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact; the method comprising a step of applying a flavouring agent to a longitudinally advancing flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods. Filters and filter elements are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of producing a flavoured tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising a self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact; the method comprising a step of applying a flavouring agent to a longitudinally advancing flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 in which the flavouring agent is applied to a longitudinally advancing flow of pre-formed filters and/or pre-formed filter elements and/or pre-formed multiple filter rods. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods in the longitudinally advancing flow are abutted in end to end relationship. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods in the longitudinally advancing flow are longitudinally spaced from each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 in which the longitudinally advancing flow comprises pluralities of abutted filters or filter elements with each plurality of filters or filter elements longitudinally spaced from the next along the flow. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 comprising a further step of applying a wrapper to the continuously advancing flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods to which the flavouring agent has been applied to thereby form a continuous wrapped rod comprising filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods bearing flavouring agent. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A method according to claim 6 comprising a further step of cutting the continuous wrapped rod to thereby provide a plurality of individual wrapped rods each comprising one or more filters or filter elements bearing flavouring agent. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) A method according to claim 5 comprising a further step of applying a wrapper to the continuously advancing flow to form a continuous wrapped rod comprising longitudinally spaced pluralities of abutted filters or filter elements bearing flavouring agent. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8 comprising a further step of cutting the continuous wrapped rod in register with the spaces between the pluralities of abutted filter or filter elements. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A method according to claim 9 including a step of crimping and/or at least partially sealing the cut ends of the wrapper. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) A method according to claim 6 in which the flavouring agent is menthol, spearmint, peppermint, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, lemon, chocolate, peach, strawberry, vanilla, or nicotine or a salt or derivative thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 in which the flavouring agent is applied in amount of between 0.1 and 8, for example 1.5 to 8 milligrams per filter or filter element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods comprise a self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially continuous filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1 in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods comprise a self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core comprising a plurality of randomly oriented fibres of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A method according to claim 13 in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods further comprise one or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally (e.g. longitudinally) of the cylindrical core. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15 in which the (or a) continuous component is a thread or yarn or tape or continuous extruded element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15 in which the (or a) continuous component is cotton thread or cellulose acetate yarn. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15 in which the (or a) continuous component further comprises a dye or pigment (e.g a dye or pigment which has regulatory approval for use in food contact applications). ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15 in which the (or a) continuous component is of a contrasting colour to the tobacco smoke filtering material. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15 in which the filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods further comprise two or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally (e.g. longitudinally) of the cylindrical core, wherein the first continuous component is a different colour to the second continuous component. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) A method according to claim 15 in which the continuous component bears a further flavouring agent (e.g. the same or different to the flavouring agent which is applied to the longitudinally advancing flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods). ### Claim 22 A product comprising a plurality of individual tobacco smoke filters or filter elements abutted end to end, each filter or filter element including a self-sustaining substantially cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material bonded at their points of contact and a flavouring agent; and a wrapper around the plurality of individual tobacco smoke filters or filter elements. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the wrapper extends longitudinally at each end beyond the abutted plurality of individual tobacco smoke filters or filter elements and is sealed or partially sealed. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the flavouring agent is applied in amount of between 0.1 and 8, for example 1.5 to 8 milligrams per filter or filter element. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the filters or filter elements comprise a self-sustaining cylindrical core comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially continuous filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the filters or filter elements comprise a self-sustaining cylindrical core comprising a plurality of randomly oriented fibres of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the filters or filter elements further comprise one or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally (e.g. longitudinally) of the cylindrical core. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the (or a) continuous component is a thread or yarn or tape or continuous extruded element. ### Claim 29 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the (or a) continuous component is cotton thread or cellulose acetate yarn. ### Claim 30 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the (or a) continuous component further comprises a dye or pigment (e.g a dye or pigment which has regulatory approval for use in food contact applications). ### Claim 31 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the (or a) continuous component is of a contrasting colour to the tobacco smoke filtering material. ### Claim 32 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the filters or filter elements further comprise two or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally (e.g. longitudinally) of the cylindrical core, wherein the first continuous component is a different colour to the second continuous component. ### Claim 33 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the (or a) continuous component bears a further flavouring agent (e.g. the same or different to the flavouring agent which is applied to the longitudinally advancing flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods). ### Claim 34 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the tobacco smoke filtering material is cellulose acetate tow. ### Claim 35 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the wrapper is transparent. ### Claim 36 A tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising a self-sustaining substantially cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material bonded at their points of contact; and a flavouring agent. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to claim 36 including a wrapper. ### Claim 38 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core is a cylindrical rod of circular cross section. ### Claim 39 (depends on 22) A product according to claim 22 wherein the self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core is a longitudinally extending hollow tube. ### Claim 40 An apparatus for producing flavoured tobacco smoke filters or filter elements comprising feed means (a feeder) for longitudinally advancing a flow of filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods elements each comprising a self-sustaining longitudinally extending cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact; and flavour application means (a flavour applicator) for applying a flavouring agent to the longitudinally advancing filters and/or filter elements and/or multiple filter rods. ### Claim 41 (canceled) ### Claim 42 A tobacco smoke filter or filter element comprising a self-sustaining substantially cylindrical core comprising fibres or filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material bonded at their points of contact; one or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally of the cylindrical core; and a flavouring agent. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to claim 42 wherein the flavouring agent is at least partially located on a continuous component which extends substantially longitudinally of the cylindrical core. ### Claim 44 (depends on 42) A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to claim 42 wherein the flavouring agent is included in an amount of 0.1 and 8, for example 1.5 to 8 milligrams per product filter or filter element. ### Claim 45 (depends on 42) A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to claim 42 wherein the flavouring agent is menthol. ### Claim 46 (depends on 42) A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to claim 42 wherein the filter or filter element comprises a self-sustaining cylindrical core comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending substantially continuous filaments of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. ### Claim 47 (depends on 42) A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to claim 42 wherein the filter or filter element comprises a self-sustaining cylindrical core comprising a plurality of randomly oriented fibres of tobacco smoke filtering material which are bonded at their points of contact. ### Claim 48 (depends on 42) A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to claim 42 wherein at least one continuous component is a thread or yarn or tape or continuous extruded element, for example a cotton thread, a cellulose acetate yarn or a continuous extruded element of e.g. cellulose acetate. ### Claim 49 (depends on 42) A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to claim 42 further comprising a wrapper. ### Claim 50 (depends on 42) A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to claim 42 wherein the (or a) continuous component further comprises a dye or pigment (e.g a dye or pigment which has regulatory approval for use in food contact applications). ### Claim 51 (depends on 42) A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to claim 42 wherein the (or a) continuous component is of a contrasting colour to the tobacco smoke filtering material. ### Claim 52 (depends on 42) A tobacco smoke filter or filter element according to claim 42 wherein the filters or filter elements further comprise two or more continuous components extending substantially longitudinally (e.g. longitudinally) of the cylindrical core, wherein the first continuous component is a different colour to the second continuous component. ### Claim 53 (depends on 42) A filter cigarette comprising a filter according to claim 42 joined to a wrapped tobacco rod.