NL2015244B1 - Cigarette filter. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cigarette filter comprising cellulose fibers, further comprising at least one container inside the cigarette filter, the container encloses releasable a fluid with at least one active ingredient, suitable to reduce at least one of the noxious compounds of cigarette smoke, wherein the at least one active ingredients are dissolved or dispersed in a liquid. The one or more containers in the cigarette filter may comprise water and/or butaine as the fluid, and active ingredients such as for example antioxidants, ellagic acid, diothiothreitol, glutathione, lipoic acid, aluminum oxide hydroxide or thiosulfate. The container can be made from polyethene.

Description

CIGARETTE FILTER

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a cigarette filter.

Background of the invention

Tobacco smoking as a widespread, harmful human passion, which is known to cause serious and irreversible health damage. Currently, smoking is the leading cause among different factors of incurable cancer diseases. Health damage caused by smoking generates a serious social and financial problems worldwide. For example, only in the EU countries premature death of more than 500.000 people is caused by the harmful effects of smoking.

As a consequence of the above, it is quite natural that the entire world endeavors to drive back smoking and relieve the damages caused by tobacco smoke. This can partly be achieved by giving up smoking or persuading the people to wean from smoking, and partly by using means, which filter the tobacco smoke to the most possible extent before entering the human body.

For decades the most widespread and generally applied means for the latter solution has been the cigarette filter. Currently the filter itself is a segment integrated directly into the cigarette, at one end of it, which is installed in a way that the cigarette smoke can enter the airways and lungs through it only. The cigarette filter currently generally consists of cellulose acetate fibrous material. The amount of harmful substances filtered by this common filter is small. But the amount of harmful substances in the cigarette smoke can efficiently be reduced by cigarette filters.

Thus, researchers are highly interested in constructing a cigarette filter, which considerably reduce, or prevent the fatal consequences of smoking.

It is known that tobacco smoke contains several thousand chemical substances, among them mostly the following are responsible for the development of many diseases, for example respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, etc.

Carbon monoxide

Tar

Nitrosamines 1,3-butadiene

Nitrogen oxides

Nitrosamines (Poly) cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Heavy metals Hydrogen cyanide

Polonium radioisotope (accumulates in the tobacco plant)

Cresols (m, p, o)

Chlorinated dioxins

Formaldehyde

Acrolein

Acetaldehyde

Acrylonitrile

Etc.

Recent researches are not only focusing on the reduction of the amount of tar and carbon monoxide, but also on the other components of the cigarette smoke, mainly the elimination of free radicals, which are largely responsible for the development of respiratory diseases. It was found that about 600.000 free radicals enter the lung during a single inhalation of smoke produced by the burning of a cigarette. This effect can be measured with a suitable technique, for example by the determination of chemiluminescence with the investigation of chromosome aberration or with the comet assay.

It is well known that potential chemiluminescence of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene, the dibenzathracene, and the dimethyl-benzanthracene was demonstrated by Aderson several years ago [W. Anderson, Nature (Lond.), 160. 892 (1947)]. He predicted that metabolic hydroxylation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons is accompanied by chemiluminescence, which may cause malignant transformations. This was the original idea of the "dark" chemical, particularly biochemical reactions, in which processes a kind of excited state develops, promoting mutagenicity and carcinogenic effect of the polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Anderson's idea was reworked by several researchers, and his results were supported [C. S., Foote and S. Wexlker: J. Am. Chem Soc., 86, 3879 (1964); E. H. White, J. Wiecke, D. R. Roswell: J. Am. Chem. Soc., 91, 5194 (1969); E. H. White, and C. C. Wei: J. Am. Chem. Soc., 92, 2167 (1970); E. H. White, E. Rapaport, Η. H. Seliger, T. A. Hopkins: Bioorg. Chem., 1, 92 (1971); A. A. Lamola: Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 43, 893 (1971)].

Subsequently, many investigations demonstrated that the cigarette smoke contains unstable molecules in high concentration, which in reaction with oxygen produce chemiluminescence. This chemiluminescence concentrates in the aerosol phase; it can be made absorbed in the glass wool filters of the combusting system, and it can be extracted by organic solvents of the measurements. Here the investigations of Seliger and co-workers [Η. H Seliger, W. H. Biggley, J, P. Hamman, Science, 185 (147) 253-6 (1974)] must be highlighted, who demonstrated the oxygen-dependence of the chemiluminescence reactions, determined its kinetics, activation energy, studied the emission spectra and the absolute photon intensity. It was determined that not only the cigarette smoke exhibits spontaneous chemiluminescence, but also the side flow of cigarette smoke: the pipe smoke, and the smoke of the leaves of the oak tree, maple, cornel and tea. The smoke of the cigarette paper or the wood shavings exhibit much lower chemiluminescence. But it can be significantly measured in air samples transferred through glass wool, taken from the air of a room contaminated with tobacco smoke. Fresh cigarette smoke contains more free radicals than the older smoke. Organic bases accelerate the attack of oxygen on the free radicals originating from the smoke and on the polyaromatic hydrocarbons. It is not absolutely necessary to connect chemiluminescence to the production of singlet oxygen. The pyrolysis products contain sufficient amount of unstable radicals to react directly with the ground state (triplet) oxygen. Kinetic order of the chemiluminescence indicates radical chain reaction mechanisms. The tar and other latent carcinogenic molecules, which -mainly at the smokers- are already present in the lung and the chemiluminescence precursors originating from the cigarette smoke, generate the exited state of these molecules, which promote carcinogenesis. The long lasting chemiluminescence originating from cigarette smoke demonstrates unambiguously that at the inhalation of the smoke the smokers get high intensity chemiluminescence dose, because of the retention.

An example of a cigarette filter with additives to improve the lowering of toxic compounds is W02010/125412. However, further improvements are sought after.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention, to provide an improved filter for a cigarette, in particular a filter that is more efficient in filtering harmful compounds.

The present invention provides for a highly efficient cigarette filter.

The present invention relates to a cigarette filter comprising cellulose fibers, wherein the filter further comprises one or more containers, which releasable enclose a fluid with at least one active ingredient, wherein the one or more active ingredients are suitable to reduce at least some of the noxious compounds in cigarette smoke, wherein the at least one active ingredient is dissolved or dispersed in the fluid.

Especially, the cigarette filter from the present invention preferably is suitable for eliminating genotoxicity in biological samples and eliminating the free radicals, both to a certain extent, as it has preferably a high antioxidant capacity.

Furthermore it preferably can significantly decrease the amount of Po210, one of the main factors responsible for cancer related to smoking tobacco and it preferably decreases the amount of (poly) aromatic hydrocarbons, especially benzo(a)pyrene.

Furthermore it preferably lowers the amount of heavy metals and reduces the amount of nitrosamines in the smoke that is produced during the burning of the cigarette.

Lastly, preferably, it filters only a small amount of the nicotine.

Detailed description of the invention Short description of the figure:

Figure 1A-1D schematically shows a cigarette with a filter according the invention. Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a special, highly efficient cigarette filter, which has the advantages of some of the proposals from the state of the art, but at the same time eliminates their drawbacks to the most possible extent. In addition the invention relates to the development of a cigarette filter with which chemiluminescence can be reduced by eliminating many of the toxic components of the smoke produced during the burning of a cigarette.

It was found that if certain substances mentioned below are dissolved or finely dispersed in a fluid which is spread across the cigarette filter, preferably just before lightning the cigarette, the aim of the invention can be easily and successfully achieved.

The fluid inside the container can be favorably used when released across the filter, for absorbing toxic components of the cigarette smoke, and neutralizing the free radicals produced during the burning of the cigarette.

Our studies conclude that reduction of the amount of free radicals, tar, benzo(a)pyrene, nitrosamines and other harmful substances can be achieved most successfully, if a combination of efficient antioxidants are used dissolved or dispersed in the liquid in the filter.

The reagents are dissolved or finely dispersed in a liquid. The liquid preferably comprises water or butaine or a combination of both. This liquid can be substituted for other liquid. The liquid functions as a way to finely spread the reagents across the filter in such a way that the reaction surface is increased. In this way the cigarette filter of the invention becomes highly efficient.

Suitable examples of antioxidants include ellagic acid, dithioerythritol, 2,6-di-tert- glutathione and lipoic acid, but any other reagent can be substituted for one of the previously named and any combination can be made.

Previously named organic antioxidants can be substituted for or used in combination with inorganic antioxidants. Inorganic antioxidants which could be applied in the filter are aluminum oxide hydroxide and/or (activated) clays. Thiosulfate is another inorganic antioxidant which could be used which is known for its capacity to remove cyanide or oxidizing agents from smoke.

The aim of the antioxidants is to remove the free radicals, protect against lipid peroxidation and the oxidative damage of the LDL cholesterol, the cell membranes, the cells and the tissues.

The cigarette filter furthermore preferably contains as an active ingredient, one or more compounds that are able to at least partly eliminate genotoxicity and/or reduces the amount of Po210 significantly. Suitable compounds include the organic antioxidants described above, specifically ellagic acid which is known for its capacity to form complexes with heavy metals. Another compound which could be applied is tributyl phosphate, which is an organophosphorus compound used in the polonium-uranium extraction process. Another compound which could be applied is polyethylenimine, used in ion-exchange resins. Ion-exchange resins are known for their capacity to capture heavy metals like Po210.

The cigarette filter furthermore contains as active ingredient one or more compounds that are able to decrease the amount of (poly) cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and it lowers the amount of heavy metals. Suitable compounds include carbon black, chelating compounds like EDTA, and finely dispersed polydimethylsiloxane.

The cigarette filter furthermore preferably contains as an active ingredient, one or more compounds that are able to reduce the amount of free radicals in the cigarette smoke and it partly removes nitrosamines and chlorinated dioxins. Suitable compounds include the antioxidants mentioned above, carbon black, activated clays and the water in the fluid is also commonly used to quench radical reactions.

Preferably, the liquid contains two, three or four active ingredients.

This liquid is enclosed by a plastic container. The plastic film of the container is preferably made of polyethene, polypropylene or polyester, and made in such a way it can be broken easily by applying pressure with the fingers on the filter comprising the container. Polyethene is particularly preferred.

The shape and size of the container are such that upon breaking the container the liquid is distributed efficiently across the filter.

This container can be of any size or shape and can be placed anywhere in the filter, but is preferably spherical.

The greatest advantage of the cigarette filter of the invention is that they do not just absorb the products in the particle phase (tar, etc.) but also the products of the vapor phase, because, during burning as a consequence of the liquid content, water and or butaine, it transforms the cellulose acetate into a hydrophilic gel type of material, which can solubilize the toxic components of the cigarette smoke and neutralize the free radicals. This is done with an efficiency that pushes the amount of these harmful components down, and preferably below concentrations that effect human health.

Description of the figures

In the figures 1A-1D, 1 denotes the wrapping paper and tobacco part, and 2 the cellulose acetate filter. Figure 1A is a cigarette according to the state of the art. Figure IB shows in the filter a container 3 enclosing a fluid with an active compound. In figure 1C, the pressure is shown as an arrow 4. Due to the pressure, the force ruptures the container in order to release the fluid. After the rupture, 5 denotes the broken container, and 6 the fluid spreading out in the filter. In figure ID, 7 denotes that the container may leave a gap in the filter.

Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention, wherein a multitude of small spherical containers are spread throughout the filter. This has as the advantage that the fluid spreads more easily throughout the body of the filter and the small size of the containers prevents channeling of the smoke, or blockage of the smoke. In Figure 2, 11 denotes the wrapping paper and tobacco part, and 12 the cellulose acetate filter. The containers are indicated as 13.

Claims (11)

1. Claims:

   1. Cigarette filter comprising cellulose fibers, further comprising at least one container inside the cigarette filter, the container encloses releasable a fluid with at least one active ingredient, suitable to reduce at least one of the noxious compounds of cigarette smoke, wherein the at least one active ingredient is dissolved or dispersed in a liquid.
2. 2. Cigarette filter according to claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises water and/or butaine.
3. 3. Cigarette filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one active ingredient comprises at least one antioxidant as active agent,
4. 4. Cigarette filter according to claim 3, wherein the antioxidants is one or more of ellagic acid, diothiothreitol, glutathione, lipoic acid, aluminum oxide hydroxide or thiosulfate.
5. 5. Cigarette filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the film of the container is made from polyethene or any other suitable plastic.
6. 6. Cigarette filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one container is made in such a way that when broken the liquid containing the at least one active ingredient is efficiently spread across the filter.
7. 7. Cigarette filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two containers are present in the filter.
8. 8. Cigarette filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is substantially spherical.
9. 9. Cigarette filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the active ingredient is able to at least partly eliminate genotoxicity, and/or it reduces the amount of Po210.
10. 10. Cigarette filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the active ingredient is able to decrease the amount of (poly) cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and it lowers the amount of heavy metals.
11. 11. Cigarette filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the active ingredient is able to reduce the amount of free radicals in the cigarette smoke and it partly removes nitrosamines and chlorinated dioxins.