Eastman Chemical Company

Kevin Todd Barham

Andrew Ervin McLeod

Scott Gregory Gaynor

Brian Douglas Seiler

Clarissa Tatum

Michael Joseph Pearce

James Andrew Dickenson

Disclosed are acetate tow bands comprising identification fibers made of cellulose acetate which exhibit surface markings in a repeated pattern along the length of the identification fibers. The identification fibers can be incorporated into an acetate tow band. The surface markings and repeated pattern can be representative of a bale identifier. The identification fibers can be recovered from a cigarette filter, the repeated pattern decoded, and supply chain information associated with the acetate tow band used to make the cigarette filter can be obtained.

Cellulose acetate tow bands and filters with surface markings

Disclosed are fibers comprising one or more branded fibers which exhibit surface markings in a repeated pattern along the length of the branded fibers. The branded fibers can be incorporated into yarns or fiber bands to represent supply chain information of the yarns, fiber bands, and/or articles made from the yards or fiber bands. In a specific example, branded fibers can be incorporated into an acetate tow band The branded fibers can be recovered from a cigarette filter, the repeated pattern decoded, and supply chain information associated with the acetate tow used to make the cigarette filter, such as manufacturer, customer, ship to location, and even the acetate tow bale, can be obtained.

Fibers with surface markings used for coding

Disclosed are fibers comprising one or more branded fibers which exhibit surface markings in a repeated pattern along the length of the branded fibers. The branded fibers can be incorporated into yarns or fiber bands to represent supply chain information of the yarns, fiber bands, and/or articles made from the yards or fiber bands. In a specific example, branded fibers can be incorporated into an acetate tow band. The branded fibers can be recovered from a cigarette filter, the repeated pattern decoded, and supply chain information associated with the acetate tow used to make the cigarette filter, such as manufacturer, customer, ship to location, and even the acetate tow bale, can be obtained.

Growing community of inventors

Kingsport, TN, United States of America

Kevin Todd Barham