Cigarette and the like filter and method for producing same
United States Patent 3886955
This invention relates to a process for producing a filter for cigarettes and the like comprising providing a quantity of human hair, depositing the hair in an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate, boiling the solution containing the hair, cooling the solution, removing the hair from the solution, and drying the hair and using the thus treated hair as a filter material. Also, the disclosure relates to the filter produced by this process.
US Patent References:
Filter for tobacco smoke
Reske - June 1966 - 3255761
/3674540.html
Pergaminos - July 1972 - 3674540
Filter for tobacco smoke
Reske - June 1966 - 3255761
/3674540.html
Pergaminos - July 1972 - 3674540
Inventors:
Johnson, James W. (Detroit, MI)
Knapp, Gladys Janet (Detroit, MI)
Knapp, Gladys Janet (Detroit, MI)
Application Number:
05/416457
Publication Date:
06/03/1975
Filing Date:
11/16/1973
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
International Classes:
A24D3/06; A24D3/00; A24F7/04
Field of Search:
131/267,14P,261R,10,207 55/528 210/483,509
Primary Examiner:
Michell, Robert W.
Assistant Examiner:
Millin V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Shlesinger, Arkwright, Garvey & Dinsmore
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A process for producing an absorptive filter material having good drawing properties for cigarettes and the like smoking articles comprising:
2. A process as in claim 1 and including:
3. A process as in claim 2 and including:
4. A process as in claim 1 and wherein:
5. A process as in claim 1 and including:
6. A process as in claim 5 and including:
7. A product produced by the process of claim 1.
8. A process as in claim 1 and including:
9. A filter having good drawing properties for use with cigarettes or the like smoking articles comprising:
10. A filter as in claim 9 and wherein:
11. A filter as in claim 10 and wherein:
12. A filter as in claim 11 and wherein:
13. A filter as in claim 12 and wherein:
1. A process for producing an absorptive filter material having good drawing properties for cigarettes and the like smoking articles comprising:
2. A process as in claim 1 and including:
3. A process as in claim 2 and including:
4. A process as in claim 1 and wherein:
5. A process as in claim 1 and including:
6. A process as in claim 5 and including:
7. A product produced by the process of claim 1.
8. A process as in claim 1 and including:
9. A filter having good drawing properties for use with cigarettes or the like smoking articles comprising:
10. A filter as in claim 9 and wherein:
11. A filter as in claim 10 and wherein:
12. A filter as in claim 11 and wherein:
13. A filter as in claim 12 and wherein:
Description:
This invention relates to an improved cigarette filter and a process for making the same. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved cigarette filter made from treated human hair or synthetic material having natural hair qualities as well as a process for making the filter.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS
The prior art relating to filtering devices for smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and the like is replete with many types of filters for these smoking devices. Most commonly, these filters comprise some type of synthetic fibrous material or naturally occurring carbon or chemical granules or charcoal. Often, the fibrous material is in some way treated with certain chemicals to alter the filtration ability of the fibers or to impart a desired taste to the smoke.
One of the most common types of cigarette filters consist of packed cellulose fibers or a paper or felt made from cellulose fibers. These fibers are used either in a naturally occurring form or are treated to render them more absorptive or to produce better filtration of the smoke. Many additives have been proposed for cellulose fibers to cool the smoke or improve the "draw" through the filter or the "bite" of the smoke. So-called "menthol" cigarettes are often of this type.
Other types of fibers such as mineral fibers of asbestos have also been proposed. Similarly, synthetic fibers such as glass fibers or polyolefin or polyester fibers have been proposed for cigarette and the like filters.
Additionally, many attempts have been made to utilize a cooling liquid such as water for cigarette filters used in the manner of so-called "water pipes", and the water may even be included in a small mouthpiece type filter attached to the cigarette.
Most types of cigarette or the like filters suffer from a variety of disadvantages, and their selection generally is made to minimize one or more of the disadvantages. For example, some types of filtration material require a substantial suction in order to pass the smoke through the filter medium. The suction which the smoker must generate is of course tiring to the smoker, and therefore, somewhat undesirable.
Other types of filter material remove so much of the ingredients of the smoke that very little taste remains in the smoke, and the smoking article is then undesirable from this standpoint.
Other types of filters and particularly asbestos fiber filters, may present a health hazard due to the extremely fine nature of asbestos fibers and the danger of lung contamination therefrom.
The filters which have a particular chemical added such as for example, menthol, treat the smoke so as to alter its taste to the user, and while this may be desirable for some user, it is undesirable for others.
One of the main purposes of the filters on any smoking device is the removal of the carcinogenic contaminants from the smoke. Tests have demonstrated some apparent connection between the tars and nicotines present in the smoke and common respiratory diseases. Therefore, the removal of these contaminants is a highly desirable feature. Unfortunately, prior art filters, in removing these harmful materials, have also removed the taste-providing materials from the smoke or fail to remove a chemical compound which masks the real flavor of the tobacco article.
An ideal filter for cigarettes, cigars, etc., would be one which:
1. removed carcinogenic contaminants from the smoke;
2. did not introduce harmful material into the smoke;
3. maintained the taste of the smoke for satisfying the desires of the user;
4. did not increase the amount of suction required or otherwise alter the "draw";
5. cooled the smoke without affecting taste thereof, and
6. was made from inexpensive materials.
Therefore, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a filter for a smoking device which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art filters.
Another object of this invention is to provide a filter for a smoking device which removes the harmful contaminants from the smoke while leaving good taste in the smoke.
A further object of this invention is to provide a filter for cigarettes and the like which retains the "bite" in the smoke.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a filter for cigarettes and the like which does not require a high suction, and thus has good "drawing" properties.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a cigarette filtering material made from specially treated hair.
Another object of this invention is to provide a cigarette filter which removes the masking compound from filtered cigarettes, and restores the flavor.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method for producing an improved cigarette filter made from hair.
Another object of this invention is to provide a smoke filter which does not introduce harmful contaminants into the smoke.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a method for treating hair to render it suitable for use as an improved cigarette filter material.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a cigarette filter made from hair which has been treated with sodium bicarbonate.
These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent when considered in light of the following specification and claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Cigarette filters which are made from hair have been known for many years. For example, British Pat. No. 13,747, issued to Phillips in 1851 suggested that hair could be used in a smoke filter. Apparently, this attempt met with little success.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,255,761 issued to Reske et al also relates to filters for tobacco articles and is made from hair which has been treated. Here, the patentee reacts the keratin of the hair with a substance such as thioglycolic acid so as to reduce the disulfide linkages of the keratin molecules to sulfhydryl groups. While this represents an advance over the Phillips patent, it too had disadvantages, particularly in the cost of the reactants.
According to this invention, a quantity of human hair is used with the hair fibers having preferably been cut to a fiber length of less than about 1/4 inch. A substantially saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate is prepared, and the short hair fibers or fibrils are introduced into the aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The amount of solution used to treat a given quantity of hair will depend upon the amount of hair to be treated. In any event, the solution should be sufficient to cover all of the hair particles placed therein.
Sodium bicarbonate has been found to be superior to what would ordinarily be expected to be equivalent materials such as lithium or potassium bicarbonate. These materials have been found to deleteriously affect the taste of the smoke. Moreover, sodium bicarbonate is a widely used and readily available material of low cost and without harmful side effects.
The solution containing the hair and sodium bicarbonate is next heated and brought to a boil. This solution is allowed to boil for a period of time, typically on the order of 15- 30 minutes. It is not certain if the sodium bicarbonate actually reacts with the keratin of the hair or merely serves to clean the hair in a very effective manner, since sodium bicarbonate is a known cleaning agent. However, the hair should be boiled in the solution sufficiently long that no further discoloration of the solution occurs. This may be determined by decanting the solution periodically and adding fresh aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and bringing to a boil, or by removing the hair from the solution, washing it, and depositing it in fresh solution and allowing it to boil again. If no further discoloration occurs in the fresh solution, then the hair has been boiled sufficiently long. If discoloration should occur, then it should be allowed to boil for an additional length of time until it will no longer discolor a fresh solution. It has been found that the solution resulting from the first boiling is an excellent starting solution for new batches of hair since it is very reactive and cuts down the time required to obtain a clean solution. It also produces a more absorbtive hair filter medium.
When the hair has been treated sufficiently so that it no longer discolors fresh sodium bicarbonate solution, the solution is allowed to cool, and the hair is removed from the solution. Preferably, the hair is then dried, however, filtration of the solution to remove the hair without further drying may be adequate for some purposes.
The thus treated hair is then ready to be deposited in a suitable filter receptacle for use as a smoking filter. This receptacle may be an integral part of the cigar of cigarette, or may be part of a filter mouthpiece which is used with a conventional cigarette of filter or non-filter variety.
The sodium bicarbonate solution is preferably saturated at room temperature at which point it has solubility of about 110 gms per liter. Also during the boiling step or steps, the solution should be agitated vigorously so as to insure a thorough treatment of the hair. Sometimes, the solution boils vigorously and violently, and further mechanical agitation is unnecessary. This violent boiling may be caused by the different types of protein contained in different hair, however, this is not certain. Glass beads may be used to reduce the boiling violence.
The hair which has been treated by this process is impregnated with sodium bicarbonate and contains a small residue of sodium bicarbonate thereon, although the residue is not strictly a continuous coating on the fibrils. However, the fibrils remain discrete and are not bound into a mass.
The cigarette filter produced according to this invention is found to have greatly improved draw characteristics and the suction necessary to draw the smoke therethrough does not differ noticeably from conventional filters. Additionally, a large quantity of undesirable material is removed from the smoke, and even from the smoke of a conventional filter-type cigarette using the regular filter in conjunction with the present filter. It is to be noted that using a filter according to this invention with a conventional filter cigarette results in improved bite and taste of the smoke of the cigarette. The removal of the contaminant from the smoke is confirmed by a washing of the used filter fibers, which may be subsequently reused. Considerable discoloration occurs in the water indicating high removal of contaminants, even after using the filter for one cigarette.
The taste of the smoke is not impaired at all by the filter of this invention, and in fact is in many cases believed to be superior to the taste of the unfiltered smoke. Additionally, the bite of the smoke is greatly improved. The draw, taste, and bite of the cigarette are all improved with simultaneous reduction in the harmful contaminants of the smoke, and but minimal treatment of the filter fibrils.
Although this invention is not limited to human hair, but includes other keratinous type hair, the use of animal hair may be psychologically unappealing and does not appear from tests to be as effective as human hair as a filter medium.
In the filter receptacle, the hair may be of any suitable configuration such as twisted, matted, coiled, etc. Also, it may be packed loose or tight in varying amounts depending upon the exact nature of the response desired in the smoker. Although the fiber length is generally less than 1/4 inch, it is preferably in the range 1/32 inch - 1/8 inch. Also a foraminous baffle may be included for retaining the fibrils in place.
Additionally, the extract prepared from the washing of the hair contained in a filter of this invention which has been used for smoking, possesses desirable properties, and has been found to have cleaning and fertilizer activity. The reason for this is not clear, however, it is believed to be due to the nature of the material extracted from the tobacco smoke and the sodium bicarbonate present in the extract.
While this invention has been described, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS
The prior art relating to filtering devices for smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and the like is replete with many types of filters for these smoking devices. Most commonly, these filters comprise some type of synthetic fibrous material or naturally occurring carbon or chemical granules or charcoal. Often, the fibrous material is in some way treated with certain chemicals to alter the filtration ability of the fibers or to impart a desired taste to the smoke.
One of the most common types of cigarette filters consist of packed cellulose fibers or a paper or felt made from cellulose fibers. These fibers are used either in a naturally occurring form or are treated to render them more absorptive or to produce better filtration of the smoke. Many additives have been proposed for cellulose fibers to cool the smoke or improve the "draw" through the filter or the "bite" of the smoke. So-called "menthol" cigarettes are often of this type.
Other types of fibers such as mineral fibers of asbestos have also been proposed. Similarly, synthetic fibers such as glass fibers or polyolefin or polyester fibers have been proposed for cigarette and the like filters.
Additionally, many attempts have been made to utilize a cooling liquid such as water for cigarette filters used in the manner of so-called "water pipes", and the water may even be included in a small mouthpiece type filter attached to the cigarette.
Most types of cigarette or the like filters suffer from a variety of disadvantages, and their selection generally is made to minimize one or more of the disadvantages. For example, some types of filtration material require a substantial suction in order to pass the smoke through the filter medium. The suction which the smoker must generate is of course tiring to the smoker, and therefore, somewhat undesirable.
Other types of filter material remove so much of the ingredients of the smoke that very little taste remains in the smoke, and the smoking article is then undesirable from this standpoint.
Other types of filters and particularly asbestos fiber filters, may present a health hazard due to the extremely fine nature of asbestos fibers and the danger of lung contamination therefrom.
The filters which have a particular chemical added such as for example, menthol, treat the smoke so as to alter its taste to the user, and while this may be desirable for some user, it is undesirable for others.
One of the main purposes of the filters on any smoking device is the removal of the carcinogenic contaminants from the smoke. Tests have demonstrated some apparent connection between the tars and nicotines present in the smoke and common respiratory diseases. Therefore, the removal of these contaminants is a highly desirable feature. Unfortunately, prior art filters, in removing these harmful materials, have also removed the taste-providing materials from the smoke or fail to remove a chemical compound which masks the real flavor of the tobacco article.
An ideal filter for cigarettes, cigars, etc., would be one which:
1. removed carcinogenic contaminants from the smoke;
2. did not introduce harmful material into the smoke;
3. maintained the taste of the smoke for satisfying the desires of the user;
4. did not increase the amount of suction required or otherwise alter the "draw";
5. cooled the smoke without affecting taste thereof, and
6. was made from inexpensive materials.
Therefore, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a filter for a smoking device which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art filters.
Another object of this invention is to provide a filter for a smoking device which removes the harmful contaminants from the smoke while leaving good taste in the smoke.
A further object of this invention is to provide a filter for cigarettes and the like which retains the "bite" in the smoke.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a filter for cigarettes and the like which does not require a high suction, and thus has good "drawing" properties.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a cigarette filtering material made from specially treated hair.
Another object of this invention is to provide a cigarette filter which removes the masking compound from filtered cigarettes, and restores the flavor.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a method for producing an improved cigarette filter made from hair.
Another object of this invention is to provide a smoke filter which does not introduce harmful contaminants into the smoke.
Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a method for treating hair to render it suitable for use as an improved cigarette filter material.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a cigarette filter made from hair which has been treated with sodium bicarbonate.
These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent when considered in light of the following specification and claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Cigarette filters which are made from hair have been known for many years. For example, British Pat. No. 13,747, issued to Phillips in 1851 suggested that hair could be used in a smoke filter. Apparently, this attempt met with little success.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,255,761 issued to Reske et al also relates to filters for tobacco articles and is made from hair which has been treated. Here, the patentee reacts the keratin of the hair with a substance such as thioglycolic acid so as to reduce the disulfide linkages of the keratin molecules to sulfhydryl groups. While this represents an advance over the Phillips patent, it too had disadvantages, particularly in the cost of the reactants.
According to this invention, a quantity of human hair is used with the hair fibers having preferably been cut to a fiber length of less than about 1/4 inch. A substantially saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate is prepared, and the short hair fibers or fibrils are introduced into the aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The amount of solution used to treat a given quantity of hair will depend upon the amount of hair to be treated. In any event, the solution should be sufficient to cover all of the hair particles placed therein.
Sodium bicarbonate has been found to be superior to what would ordinarily be expected to be equivalent materials such as lithium or potassium bicarbonate. These materials have been found to deleteriously affect the taste of the smoke. Moreover, sodium bicarbonate is a widely used and readily available material of low cost and without harmful side effects.
The solution containing the hair and sodium bicarbonate is next heated and brought to a boil. This solution is allowed to boil for a period of time, typically on the order of 15- 30 minutes. It is not certain if the sodium bicarbonate actually reacts with the keratin of the hair or merely serves to clean the hair in a very effective manner, since sodium bicarbonate is a known cleaning agent. However, the hair should be boiled in the solution sufficiently long that no further discoloration of the solution occurs. This may be determined by decanting the solution periodically and adding fresh aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and bringing to a boil, or by removing the hair from the solution, washing it, and depositing it in fresh solution and allowing it to boil again. If no further discoloration occurs in the fresh solution, then the hair has been boiled sufficiently long. If discoloration should occur, then it should be allowed to boil for an additional length of time until it will no longer discolor a fresh solution. It has been found that the solution resulting from the first boiling is an excellent starting solution for new batches of hair since it is very reactive and cuts down the time required to obtain a clean solution. It also produces a more absorbtive hair filter medium.
When the hair has been treated sufficiently so that it no longer discolors fresh sodium bicarbonate solution, the solution is allowed to cool, and the hair is removed from the solution. Preferably, the hair is then dried, however, filtration of the solution to remove the hair without further drying may be adequate for some purposes.
The thus treated hair is then ready to be deposited in a suitable filter receptacle for use as a smoking filter. This receptacle may be an integral part of the cigar of cigarette, or may be part of a filter mouthpiece which is used with a conventional cigarette of filter or non-filter variety.
The sodium bicarbonate solution is preferably saturated at room temperature at which point it has solubility of about 110 gms per liter. Also during the boiling step or steps, the solution should be agitated vigorously so as to insure a thorough treatment of the hair. Sometimes, the solution boils vigorously and violently, and further mechanical agitation is unnecessary. This violent boiling may be caused by the different types of protein contained in different hair, however, this is not certain. Glass beads may be used to reduce the boiling violence.
The hair which has been treated by this process is impregnated with sodium bicarbonate and contains a small residue of sodium bicarbonate thereon, although the residue is not strictly a continuous coating on the fibrils. However, the fibrils remain discrete and are not bound into a mass.
The cigarette filter produced according to this invention is found to have greatly improved draw characteristics and the suction necessary to draw the smoke therethrough does not differ noticeably from conventional filters. Additionally, a large quantity of undesirable material is removed from the smoke, and even from the smoke of a conventional filter-type cigarette using the regular filter in conjunction with the present filter. It is to be noted that using a filter according to this invention with a conventional filter cigarette results in improved bite and taste of the smoke of the cigarette. The removal of the contaminant from the smoke is confirmed by a washing of the used filter fibers, which may be subsequently reused. Considerable discoloration occurs in the water indicating high removal of contaminants, even after using the filter for one cigarette.
The taste of the smoke is not impaired at all by the filter of this invention, and in fact is in many cases believed to be superior to the taste of the unfiltered smoke. Additionally, the bite of the smoke is greatly improved. The draw, taste, and bite of the cigarette are all improved with simultaneous reduction in the harmful contaminants of the smoke, and but minimal treatment of the filter fibrils.
Although this invention is not limited to human hair, but includes other keratinous type hair, the use of animal hair may be psychologically unappealing and does not appear from tests to be as effective as human hair as a filter medium.
In the filter receptacle, the hair may be of any suitable configuration such as twisted, matted, coiled, etc. Also, it may be packed loose or tight in varying amounts depending upon the exact nature of the response desired in the smoker. Although the fiber length is generally less than 1/4 inch, it is preferably in the range 1/32 inch - 1/8 inch. Also a foraminous baffle may be included for retaining the fibrils in place.
Additionally, the extract prepared from the washing of the hair contained in a filter of this invention which has been used for smoking, possesses desirable properties, and has been found to have cleaning and fertilizer activity. The reason for this is not clear, however, it is believed to be due to the nature of the material extracted from the tobacco smoke and the sodium bicarbonate present in the extract.
While this invention has been described, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.