Smoking article

An improved smoking article comprising:

• a generally cylindrical, combustible first outer wrapper having first and second ends;
• an amount of tobacco disposed in and filling the first outer wrapper between its ends and adapted, with the first outer wrapper, to be burned;
• and
• filter means for filtering products of combustion which pass there through in a direction parallel to the longiudinal axis of the filter means and which result from the burning of the tobacco, the filter means comprising:
• one end that is connected with a first end of the first outer wrapper;
• another end that is adapted to be placed in the mouth of the smoker;
• a second outer wrapper;
• and
• an assembly of crimped, cellulose acetate fibers disposed in and filling the second outer wrapper;
• the filter means comprising:
• a first zone adjacent to the one end of the filter means and having an elongated, elliptical cross-section in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the filter means;
• a second zone adjacent to the other end of the filter means and having an elongated, elliptical cross-section in a plane transverse to the longiudinal axis of the filter means, with the major axis of the transverse cross-section of the second zone being disposed at an angle of substantially ninety degrees to the major axis of the transverse cross-section of the first zone;
• and
• a third zone disposed between the first and second zones and having a varying, non-circular cross-section containing fibers transverse to the central longitudinal axis wherein said third zone provides a smooth transition between the first and second zones.