Tobacco Documents Online

CHARGE NUMBER: 2105 PROJECT TITLE: Filter Development PORJECT LEADER: Walt A. Nichols PERIOD COVERED: July, 1981 I. CAM II Working with Manufacturing Engineering personnel,efforts were directed at establishing filter speci'fications for a grooved Cambridge 8'5 mm product. Several tow items and process conditions were tested on the dual drum fl ute forming equipment. A filter specification was established. Work was begun on the specification of a grooved Cambridge 100 mm product. Evaluation of a reverse groove filter concept was begun. The filter structure is composed of a nonporous plugwrap with longitudinal grooves on the filter periphery from the tobacco column to the dilution bands. This con- struction directs dilution air flow through the entire filter length and may enhance flavor transfer from materials placed on the inner section of a dual filter or in a pocket fil~ter. II. CHISSO FIBERS Bicomponent fibers were received from Chisso Corporation and processed. The bicomponent fibers have polypropylene cores and are sheathed in low density polyethylene or EVA depending on type. Unlike the majority of synthetic fibers,this material is bondable by applying heat to melt the lower melt temperature polymer surrounding the polypropylene core. Sample filters were produced by using steam as a heat source. Filter firmness, the problem with most synthetic fibers, was satisfactory. Efforts have begun to establish processing conditions. III. CIRCUMFERENCE MEASUREMENT Due to reliability and cal.ibration problems caused by the Eastman modi- fication of the LaserMike,a new design to eliminate lapseam and paper fiber circumference errors was designed and fabri,cated. Initial testing shows satisfactory results. A patent disclosure was submitted. IV. MICROWAVE TECHNOLOGY Working in collaboration with the Reconstituted Tobacco Development Group, several tests were conducted at the BL Plant using a microwave cavity to dry tobacco sheet material. Blistering of the sheet was observed due to rapid dehydration. ~ Wa1t A. Ni.cho WAN/lad