Tobacco smoke filtration material

A process of downstream handling of a water-soluble polysaccharide-containing degradable extruded tobacco smoke filtration material to produce tobacco smoke filter elements, the method comprising the steps of continuously conveying the extrudate from an extruder die of an extruder to a cutter, during the transporting of the extrudate removing excess water, if required, providing the extrudate at a temperature suitable for shaping the extrudate, shaping the extrudate by passing the extrudate through a vacuum forming device to expand said extrudate to a desired size to substantially the required circumferential dimension, the temperature of the external surface of the extrudate as the extrudate enters the shaping means being within the range of 50-200.degree. C., non-naturally cooling the extrudate to a predetermined cutting temperature using cooling means, and cutting the shaped extrudate into filter element lengths.

Downstream handling apparatus in use to provide water-soluble polysaccharide-containing degradable extruded tobacco smoke filtration material, said apparatus comprising an extruder having an extruder die, extrudate conveying means operable to convey extrudate at a speed relative to the extrusion speed of the extrudate as the extrudate exits the extruder die, means operable to heat the extrudate to remove excess moisture from the extrudate, if required shaping means to shape the extrudate, the temperature of the external surface of said extrudate as said extrudate enters said shaping means being within the range of 50-200.degree. C., cooling means to cool the extrudate and a cutter to cut the shaped extrudate into tobacco smoke filter element lengths, multiples thereof or lengths as otherwise desired, wherein said shaping means comprises a device with grooves or one or more orifice(s) which have a reducing radius or diameter along their path in order to shape said extrudate to the required dimension.

Downstream handling apparatus in use to provide water-soluble polysaccharide-containing degradable extruded filtration material, said apparatus comprising an extruder having an extruder die, extrudate conveying means operable to travel at a speed relative to the extrusion speed of the extrudate as the extrudate exits the extruder die, means operable to heat the extrudate to remove excess moisture from the extrudate, if required, shaping means to shape the extrudate, the temperature of the external surface of said extrudate as said extrudate enters said shaping means being within the range of 50-200.degree. C., cooling means to cool the extrudate being incorporated in said shaping means and a cutter to cut the shaped extrudate into tobacco smoke filter element lengths, wherein said shaping means comprises a device with grooves or one or more orifice(s) which have a reducing radios or diameter along their path in order to shape the said extrudate to the required dimension.

Downstream handling apparatus in use to provide water-soluble polysaccharide-containing degradable extruded filtration material, said apparatus comprising an extruder having an extruder die, extrudate conveying means operable to convey extrudate at a speed relative to the extrusion speed of the extrudate as the extrudate exits the extruder die, means operable, if required, to heat the extrudate to remove excess moisture from the extrudate, a vacuum forming device to shape the extrudate, the temperature of the external surface of said extrudate as said extrudate enters said shaping means being within the range of 200.degree. C., cooling means to cool the extrudate and a cutter to cut the shaped extrudate into tobacco smoke filter element lengths, multiples thereof or lengths, as otherwise stated.