Celanese Acetate Limited

Philip I L Caenen

William S Sanderson

Gary B Ellison

David O Kutscher

Donald T Stilwell

Mark E Scarborough

Cheryl F Corallo

Robina M C Hogan

A process for making a cigarette tow comprising: spinning a dope; taking-up the as-spun cellulose acetate filaments; lubricating the filaments; forming a tow from the filaments; crimping the tow with a stuffer box crimper; drying the crimped tow; and baling the dried crimped tow. The process further comprises at least two of the following:

Process for making cellulose acetate tow

In the manufacture of a fiber tow, particularly cellulose acetate tow, the tow is plasticized prior to entry into the crimper. The preferred plasticizer is water.

Process of making cellulose acetate tow

A cigarette filter tow is a cellulose acetate tow having a high uncrimping energy (UCE) and a low fly. In one embodiment, the average UCE is greater than 280 and the average fly is less than or equal to 0.030 grams per 30 minutes. In another embodiment, the average UCE is greater than 265 and the average fly is less than or equal to 0.023 grams per 30 minutes. In another embodiment, the average UCE is greater than 250 and the average fly is less than or equal to 0.017 grams per 30 minutes.

Cellulose acetate tow and method of making same

Growing community of inventors

Lanaken, Belgium

Philip I L Caenen