WO1995017105A1 - Liquid filter intended to retain the toxic substances contained in tobacco, process for its preparation and applications - Google Patents

Abstract

The filter is a colloidal system comprised of an aqueous dispersion of methylcellulose in a concentration of 1-5 % by weight and of colloidal silica in a proportion of 1-5 per thousand by weight. The process comprises the incorporation into a reservoir of the solid products (methylcellulose and colloidal silica) followed by the addition, in constant stirring conditions, of water. The filter can be applied to the retention of noxious substances which are detrimental to health and which are contained in the smoke of cigarettes.

Description

 "LIQUID FILTER FOR RETAINING TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN TOBACCO, PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION AND APPLICATIONS". TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention falls within the technical field of 5. filters for cigarettes intended to retain the harmful substances of tobacco and, more specifically, refers to a new liquid filter of a chemical nature and capable colloidal nature. to maximize the retention of toxic substances in conventional filters of any type of ciga. 10. rrillos.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION

As is known, cigarette smoke is loaded - with toxic substances that are harmful to health and cause a wide variety of diseases, including 15. respiratory type such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema - lung, cancer of lung, etc.

For this reason and given the impossibility of the majority of smokers to leave this habit harmful to health, they have already developed since ancient times a multitude of systems for filming 20. bringing this smoke in order to reach the smoker devoid of part of the referred harmful substances.

In this line, the following can be mentioned among many other registers:

Utility Model n ^and 104361 refers to a cigarette filter 25. consisting essentially of two cylindrical igua¬ plugs them independent of cellulose acetate, between - which provides a section of granules of activated charcoal.

Utility Model No. ^Q 104,494 describes a filtering device for tobacco smoke comprising a body assembly.

5. Aligned filter filters which form a block of preset dimensions, each of which, part of the material of which it is constituted, incorporates a chemical that acts on the volatile harmful substances contained in tobacco smoke.

10. Utility Model No. ² 109.934 claims a filter cigarette whose filter area is made up of two parts, one of which is constituted by a cellulose filter or similar, and the other, located between said part and tobacco, it is a cylindrical portion of sugar that retains toxic products

15. Eos contained in tobacco smoke.

Utility Model n ^{* 6} 117.940 shows a filter for tobacco smoke consisting of a tubular mallet of continuous filaments arranged in a relationship generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mallet, the filaments being coated with an ad_i

20. Tivo in a given region of the mallet, said filaments being free of said additive in another region of the mallet, the additive being referred to as activated carbon.

Utility Model No. ^Q 134,681 proposes a block of filters for tobacco items, especially manufactured cigarettes -

25. dividing into sections a continuous cord of cross-section - almost circular based on paper inside an envelope, features curled because the paper is substantially free of sulfur compounds and because it contains a metal salt of an acid selected from acetic acid, propionic acid and formic acid. Utility Model n ^and 238775 refers to a disposjL 5. tion cigarette filter constituted by a bar permea¬ ble to the air filter material, enclosed by a tubular casing, which casing comprises a first casing mate¬ rial permeable to the iare around the peripheral surface of the bar and a second air permeable wrap around the

10. First, defining the first wrapper with the second wrapper at least one channel that extends longitudinally with respect to the bar.

Utility Model 8900018 (8) claims a filter for cigarettes configured by four differentiated standard bodies.

15. The most internal attached to the sting of tobacco, a powerful filter to oxygenate the incineration, externally to which a mentholated porous filter is adhered, both being separated from each other by a separator that prevents the passage of harmful substances - from tobacco smoke to the smoker.

20. In addition to these types of filters that are attached in one way or another to the cigarette itself, a multitude of filter nozzles that adapt to the cigar at the time of smoking it have been designed. Among the numerous registers destined for said boqui. The following may be mentioned:

25. Utility Model N ² 47.498 describes a filter nozzle comprising a cylindrical part with a long bore tudinal and with an external threaded area, of smaller diameter in - where the nozzle itself is coupled, counting at one of its ends with the provision of a cylindrical-shaped bushing, ca, at whose free end it carries a conical sector with a drill - 5. small diameter intern at the vertex.

Utility Model No. ² 116.626 refers to a nozzle-filter for smokers characterized in that in the said nozzle axially penetrates a filter constituted by a cylindrical rod of smaller diameter than that of the nozzle whose stem maci.

10. zo finishes its rear end in two protruding projections of the nozzle, a diameter substantially equal to that of the inner wall thereof in the area where the narrowing of the nozzle for the user's mouth begins, while the other circular projection, likewise from normal plane to the axis of the nozzle as mentioned before

15. C, it has a diameter slightly smaller than the inside of said nozzle, which ends its front end in a conical narrowing that ends in a diameter equal to that of the mouthpiece of the nozzles, to which a rubber washer or similar is connected, insert this filter into the nozzle, while the

20. Each rubber washer seals the aforementioned mouth, the rear circular projection contacts the nozzle wall with respect to the nozzle, this part of the filter carrying an extension as a cylindrical capsule suitable for fitting the end of the cigarette and with corrugations or external stretch marks for coló

25. Cation or removal of the filter assembly from the nozzle. Utility Model No. ² 144.012 claims a device for smoking tobacco that includes a smoke treatment element and a hollow body that has at one end a cylindrical opening to receive said smoke treatment element and that has at its other end in the form of a nozzle, including said element 5. ment of treatment of the smoke some cylindrical portions adjacent axially at the end located above it that provides a socket to keep an annular shoulder in the unlit end of the cigarette or similar element to close the upper part of the body, a rod that has an infectious diameter

10. In addition to said cylindrical portions at the downward end of said smoke treatment element that can slide within said body, means that provide a relatively small conduit that extends partially and axially through the cylindrical portion inside the body that communicates.

15. ca with means that provide a single radial groove in the downward end of said conduit, the width of said radial groove being such that it causes a cross section wider than that of said conduit, a barrier wall axially separated from the downward end of said groove, of

20. so that the smoke coming out of said duct and from said groove - collides in said wall and is divided to fill the space between said rod and said body.

Utility Model No ² 153.787 claims a cigarette holder of the type consisting of two attachable sections, one

25. posterior, which is the one that is introduced into the mouth and another anterior in which the cigarette is fixed, characterized in that the section The former consists of two portions, of which the end has a transverse inner hole provided with a threaded central hole and at least one other eccentrically located, as well as an axial projection on its rear face, while that the other portion has its front end closed and provided at the bottom with a signal of holes of varying diameter located around a central hole, these two portions being coupled and joined together by an axial screw, the end of which is threaded in the central hole of the first portion, - lo. through the central hole of the second portion, in which its head is retained, there being around a screw a compression spring retained between the head thereof and the bottom of the second portion mentioned, the eccentric hole being able to face the extreme portion with any of the

_] _5 holes of the second portion.

The foregoing shows the existence of two general methods for the purification of tobacco smoke before it reaches the smoker's mouth and lungs. The first method - is the incorporation, to the cigar itself, of reali filters.

20. Sides of diverse materials that incorporate ₀ non-compounds - absorbent chemicals of the type of actibo carbon. Although - these filters retain to a greater or lesser extent part of the substances harmful to health contained in the smoke, it is still necessary to investigate to detect filters that retain the tota-

25 _# quality or as much of these harmful substances as possible.

The second method consists of what might be called the method two physicists, who use various types of solid filters and who need a nozzle for their application. These methods have the disadvantage of having to embed a gadget totally alien to the cigarette itself that the smoker usually rejects.

5. Tsar Moreover, as filters are used for several ci. followed by garlands, they become embossed and leave a bad taste in the mouth, get dirty with dust and smoke, when passing through the mouthpiece, it cools, varying the taste and aroma of tobacco, in addition to having to make a great effort in aspiration since otherwise

10. Smoke would not pass through the filter.

In this line, the present invention provides a new liquid filter that overcomes all the drawbacks of the prior art since, first, it is applied individually to each cigarette; secondly it has a capacity to retain

15. A surprisingly high level of harmful substances and, thirdly, there is no physical or psychological barrier between the smoker and the cigarette. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

The present invention as indicated in its statement

20. refers to a liquid filter for retention of toxic substances. Cas in tobacco.

The basis of the present invention resides in the filtering and absorbent properties of colloidal systems, thanks to their very fine particles, whose size -

25. is between 1 and 500 um, form an intricate reticulum that captures, as it passes through it, the solid particles that are on deposit in tobacco smoke.

The present inventors to put into practice, the abovementioned foundation, have sought liquid colloidal systems (in the sun phase or in the gel phase), whose solute and solvent are 5. totally non-toxic and have no color, odor, or taste so as not to vary the particular characteristics of each type of tobacco and that, in addition, are totally stable and can be easily incorporated into the filter of a normal cigarette.

Despite the existence of various substances and concentrations

10. which may be suitable for the purposes of the present invention, the present inventors have found a combination of two substances that constitutes a new liquid filter that maximizes the retention of toxic substances in the filters of any type of cigarette. .

15. Thus, the present invention relates to a new liquid filter for the retention of toxic substances in tobacco characterized by being a colloidal system consisting of an aqueous methylcellulose dispersion at a concentration of 1-5% by weight and of colloidal silica in a proportion of 1-5 per thousand by weight.

20. The procedure for preparing the aforementioned colloidal system consists of having a stainless steel tank, with a continuous mixing system, the precise amount of methylcellulose and silica and, while stirring, add water - necessary, at a temperature that is not especially critical for

25. the process, within reasonable margins, but which I preferred. It is probably the room temperature or a temperature close to The environment.

In this way, a liquid colloid is obtained, which constitutes the filter of the invention and is ready for subsequent packaging and use, it being noted that the product thus obtained maintains its filtering activity for long periods of storage.

In the colloid thus obtained, although the methylcellulose constitutes the filter element, it is the silica responsible for this bile and expanding the filtering action thereof, whereby

10. The effect continues indefinitely and it is possible to smoke the cigarette even if it has been treated for a long time - with the product of the invention, with the guarantee that it maintains its unchanged filter qualities.

The application of the liquid filter of the invention to the

15. Garlics by the smoker is extremely simple and can be done in two ways. One of them is to apply a small amount of the liquid filter to the conventional cigarette filter. Do the invention drip and smoke it at the time, in this way, all the filter is left on the surface of the filter and

20. It acts as a membrane in which most of the harmful substances in tobacco are retained, appreciating the simple dark color of the treated filter, unlike the original untreated cigarette filter. The other way is to spray the cigarette filter with a spray

25. mess (the spray can even be applied to the complete tobacco packet) and let the filter penetrate the impreg_ cigarettes .filling the cellulose of the original filter.

So when the solvent (water) evaporates, the very fine particles of the colloid act like thousands of small filters, - which retain most of the harmful substances. This method could also be applied on an industrial scale by treating the constituent materials of conventional filters with the liquid filter of the invention.

With the liquid filter of the invention it is possible to treat - any type of cigarettes of any brand including those of

10. "ligth" nominees, whatever type of conventional filter they carry and, in all cases, a filtering enhancing effect corresponding to the conventional filter will be obtained, with the consequent decrease in toxicity. EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

15. The present invention is further illustrated by the following Example which is not intended to limit its scope, - which is determined solely and exclusively by the attached Claim Note. EXAMPLE

20. 400 g of rae tilcellulose and 60 g of colloidal silica were placed in a stainless steel tank. 20 liters of water were added little by little and with continuous stirring at room temperature and stirring was maintained until a stable coidal dispersion was obtained.

25. The liquid colloid thus obtained was applied by spraying to a package of black cigarettes of the Ducados brand. I know He smoked one of the cigarettes 15 minutes after the application and another one a month after the application, and in both cases there was an intense dark, almost black coloration of the treated commercial filters of said cigarettes. The smoker did not observe an appreciable difference in flavor and aroma between cigarettes - untreated and those treated with the product of the invention.

10.

fifteen.

twenty.

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Claims

 CLAIMS 1.- New liquid filter for the retention of toxic substances in tobacco, characterized by being a colloidal system consisting of an aqueous dispersion of methylcellulose at a concentration of 1-5% by weight and of colloidal silica in a proportion of 1-5 per thousand by weight. 2.- Procedure for the preparation of a liquid filter for the retention of toxic substances, characterized in that it comprises - it has in a tank methylcellulose and colloidal silica in about 10. portions of 1-5% by weight and 1-5 per thousand in weight and add water with constant agitation until a homogeneous colloidal dispersion is obtained. 3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that it is carried out at room temperature or at a temperature close to 15. at room temperature. 4.- Application of a liquid filter consisting of an aqueous dispersion of methylcellulose at a concentration of 1-5% in - but and of colloidal silica in a proportion of 1-5 per thousand in weight, for the retention of substances harmful to health - 20. contained in cigarette smoke. 25.