Method for neutralization, adsorption, and absorption of hazardous or otherwise undesired compounds in a tobacco product

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/044,758, filed Apr. 14, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in its entirely.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is generally directed toward abatement of hazardous, or otherwise undesired compounds contained in tobacco smoke through neutralization, adsorption, and absorption by the incorporation of nanocrystalline particles into tobacco products.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The hazards of tobacco smoke to both the smoker and to others in the vicinity of tobacco smoke (i.e., secondhand smoke) are well documented. According to the National Toxicology Program, tobacco smoke, especially that produced by cigarettes and cigars, contains at least 250 poisonous gases, chemicals, and metals including hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, butane, ammonia, toluene, arsenic, lead, chromium, cadmium, and polonium-210 (highly radioactive carcinogen), nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, acrolien, benzene, certain N-nitrosamines, nicotine, phenol, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Eleven of the compounds are classified as Group 1 carcinogens, the most dangerous.

Tobacco products, especially cigarettes, can employ cellulose filters devices to assist with removal of smoke, tar and other particulate matter prior to being inhaled by the user. However, these filters do not address or mitigate the inhalation of or release into the surrounding environment of a good number of these toxic gases and chemicals. Further, traditionally unfiltered tobacco products such as cigars contain no or relatively little means to mitigate the release and inhalation of these toxic materials.

In one embodiment according to the present invention there is provided a tobacco product comprising nanocrystalline particles and tobacco. Particularly, the tobacco product may be a cigarette or cigar wherein the nanocrystalline particles are contained within the product\'s paper wrapping, incorporated into, mixed, and/or directly intermingled with the tobacco, or included within a fibrous filter that forms a part of the tobacco product. In certain embodiments, the tobacco product comprises between about 0.001% to about 2% by weight of the nanocrystalline particles based upon the weight of the entire tobacco product.

Exemplary nanocrystalline particles for use with certain embodiments according to the present invention include those selected from the group consisting of the oxides, hydroxides, halides, carbonates, nitrates, sulfates, and phosphates of metals, metalloids, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the exemplary nanocrystalline particles have an average crystallite size of between about 2 to about 25 nm. In another embodiment, the nanocrystalline particles may be amorphous and have an average crystallite size of less than 2 nm. In still other embodiments, the nanocrystalline particles have an average surface area of at least 20 m²/g.

In another embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a method of reducing the level of reducing the level of undesirable components in tobacco smoke from a tobacco product comprising the step of incorporating a quantity of nanocrystalline particles into the tobacco product. The tobacco product may be constructed according to any of the embodiments described herein, and likewise, the nanocrystalline particles used with the tobacco product may be any of those nanocrystalline particles described herein. At least a portion of the tobacco product is combusted and thereby generating tobacco smoke (including carbonaceous smoke particulates) and one or more undesirable compounds. The nanocrystalline particles contained within the tobacco product sorb smoke particulates and/or at least one of the one or more undesirable compounds contained in said tobacco smoke thereby preventing those materials from being taken in by the smoker or contaminating the surrounding environment.

In addition to the benefits to the smoker and those in the immediate vicinity of the smoker, embodiments according to the present invention also reduce the levels of third-hand smoke contaminants deposited on surfaces exposed to tobacco smoke.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette made in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention wherein the cigarette paper is coated with or has incorporated therein a quantity of nanocrystalline particles;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cigarette made in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention wherein a quantity of nanocrystalline particles are incorporated into or mixed with the tobacco;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cigarette made in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention with the filter portion of the cigarette partially sections, the filter portion having incorporated therein a quantity of nanocrystalline particles;

FIG. 4 is a chart depicting air filtration removal capacities for various sorbents and hydrogen chloride agent under dry conditions and 35% relative humidity conditions; and

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