The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 19, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 04, 2006
Mark A. Mchugh, Richmond, VA (US);
Georgios Karles, Richmond, VA (US);
Diane Gee, Richmond, VA (US);
Joseph L. Banyasz, Richmond, VA (US);
Zhihao Shen, Richmond, VA (US);
Munmaya K. Mishra, Richmond, VA (US);
Mark A. McHugh, Richmond, VA (US);
Georgios Karles, Richmond, VA (US);
Diane Gee, Richmond, VA (US);
Joseph L. Banyasz, Richmond, VA (US);
Zhihao Shen, Richmond, VA (US);
Munmaya K. Mishra, Richmond, VA (US);
Philip Morris USA Inc., Richmond, VA (US);
Abstract
Fibrous material suitable for incorporation into filter elements of smoking articles such as cigarettes are impregnated with additives and agents such as flavorants, flavorant-enhancers and/or free radical scavengers. The fibrous material is contacted with the additive dispersed in a high pressure gas or supercritical fluid (SCF) held at elevated pressures. The high pressure gas or SCF swells the fibrous matrix and enables the additive to be incorporated within the matrix. When pressure is reduced, the gas or SCF vaporizes and leaves the additive embedded in the fiber interstices. As a result, the additive is slowly released over a finite period of time. When incorporated into a cigarette filter, the additive is released at a desired rate from the interior of the fibrous filter into the cigarette smoke.