June 25, 1963 R. M.

BERGER 3,095,343
METHOD FOR TREATING CONTINUOUS FILAMENTARY T0778‘
Filed Sept. 15, 1960 3 Sheets-‘Sheet 1

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9.INVENTOR
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QICHAIZD NI. BEQGEQ

BY [4“ ,“pJDwdoaw’
ATTORNEY
June 25, 1963 R. M. BERGER 3,095,343
METHOD FOR TREATING CONTINUOUS FILAMENTARY Tows
Filed Sept. 15, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2

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INVENToR
QICHAQD M_ DEDGEQ

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ATTORNEY
June 25, 1963 R. M. BERGER 3,095,343
METHOD FOR TREATING CONTINUOUS FILAMENTARY TOWS
Filad Sept. 15, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 3

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INVENTOR
Qucnmo Mbmcepa

ATTORNEY
United States Patent 0 " we ' 3,095,343
Patented June 25, 1963

1 2
by prior techniques which have been used do not, in
3,095,343 fact, comprise uniformlydbonded ?ber structures.
METHOD FOR TREATING CONTINUOUS (2) With prior processes, tow rods are cut into seg
FILAMENTARY TOWS ments while still somewhat soft. This appears to give
Richard M. Berger, Richmond, Va., assignor to US. Filter rise to dislodging of individual ?bers, uneven cuts, and
Corporation, a corporation of New York
Filed Sept. 15,1960, Ser. No. 56,189 in some instances mechanical problems.
11 Claims. (Cl. 156-180) (3) An extended time was required for ‘?curing” a
treated tow in accordance with prior practices because
This application is a continuation-impart of applica (a) the plasticizers do not bond well after initial set,
tion Serial Number 16,6183, ?led March 22, 1960. 10 and without heat, only effect some bonding after pro
This invention relates to ?brous bodies having as a longed periods; and (b) oven heating of a treated tow
major constituent cellulose acetate ?bers; to processes must be extended before the central portions of the tow
of treating such bodies; and to apparatus for handling are a?ected, particularly when the tow is “cured” in
such bodies in accordance with such processes. More lengths and/or covered with a paper overwrap.
speci?cally, the invention is concerned with the handling 15 (4) The continuous ?lamentary tows treated in con
of, processing of, and products formed from, continuous formance with the procedures outlined above required a
?lamentary tows having the ?laments thereof randomly paper overwrap to maintain dimensional stability, be-.
oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction. cause the tow, when so treated, prior to curing and, in
The term “continuous ?lamentary tow,” as used in this most cases, ‘after curing, in and of itself is pliable and
speci?cation and the appended claims, means a ma 20 stretchable and the ?bers of the tow are not su?iciently
terial such as that which results when ?laments spun bonded together to maintain a de?ned stable shape.
from a plurality of spinnerets are brought together and (5) Continuous ?lamentary tow segments as ‘formed
combined, preferably with ?laments from other spin heretofonn were limited to use as cigarette ?lters be
nerets, to form a continuous body of ?bers “randomly cause (a) they required a paper overwrap, and the only
oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction.” The 25 widely-used, and thus economical, overwrap equipment
term “randomly oriented primarily in a longitudinal di was the cigarette machines; and (b) because paper or
rection” as used in this speci?cation and the appended other dimensionally-stable overwraps prevent utilization
claims, is intended to describe the condition of a body of the tow segments for certain applications.
of ?bers which are as a whole longitudinally aligned, I have discovered that the foregoing disadvantages can
and which are, in the aggregate, in a parallel orienta~ all be overcome and many advantages can be ‘obtained
tion, but which have short portions running more or by following the prior art banding, tensioning and im
less at random in non-parallel diverging and converg pregnating practices to form a raw tow into a plasticizer
ing directions. > impregnated layer of continuous uncri-mped ?laments,
Continuous ?lamentary tows of cellulose acetate ? and then departing from the prior art by curing the con
bers have been heretofore used and processed to adapt tinuous ?lamentary tow simultaneously with, or immedi~
segments thereof for use as cigarette ?lters. Generally, ately after, gathering of such impregnated layer into a
the ?bers of the tow are formed with spinncret devices, ?nal rod shape.
and the strands exiting from such spinneret devices are Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention
bunched together to form a “raw” tow which is wound is to provide a method of, and apparatus for, treating
into a bale for subsequent processing. The subsequent a continuous ?lamentary tow whereby the same is cured
processing operations usually involve, in addition to un simultaneously with, and ‘as rapidly as it is formed from
winding of the raw tow, spreading apart of the ?bers a spread plasticizer-impregnated layer into a gathered
of the tow to provide a relatively thin ?ber layer, ten rod-like structure.
sioning of the ?bers to eliminate the crim-ps therein, im 45 Still a further primary object of the present invention
pregnating the ?ber layer with a plasticizer to bind ad is to provide a method and apparatus, conforming with
jacent ?bers together, gathering the “bonded” layer the preceding object, which method and apparatus insure
through a suitable funnel or the like to form a treated complete and uniform bonding of all adjacent ?bers
cylindrical tow, and then wrapping the treated tow in within a tow and dimensional stability of the ?nished
a suitable paper to form a rod. The paper-covered rod » tow without overwrap, whereby an unwrapped tow rod
is then cut into small segments by an ordinary cigarette can be economically formed with various diameters and
cutting machine and “cured,” or maintained in lengths cut into segments suitable for use as adsorbers or ap
and “cured.” plicators or container ?lter stoppers, as well as improved
Generally, the term “curing” has been used ‘in the art cigarette and cigar ?lters, or other smoke ?lters.
to designate ?nal bonding of ?bers by the plasticizer. Yet another and still further primary object of the
Such “curing” has been effected heretofore by letting present invention is to provide an improved inexpensively
the formed paper-covered segments or lengths of the manufactured ?ber adsorber and/ or applicator which has
treated tow age for an extended period of time unheated, all of the advantages of ordinary adsorbers, and which, in
or by subjecting the same to heat, as in an oven, for an
addition, provides for controlled ?uid ‘dispensing and is
60 not subject to “linting” or “fuzzing.”
hour or more to soften the plasticizer and permanently An additional primary object of the present invention
bond the tow ?bers together. _. is to provide a method of, and apparatus for, treating a
While satisfactory cigarette ?lters have been made in continuous ?lamentary tow to substantially increase the
accordance with the handling, treating and curing op liquid-holding properties thereof.
erations described in some detail above, certain disad Yet other and still further objects of the present inven
vantages, as listed below, are inherent in such prior tion are: (a) to provide a method and apparatus for
processes: forming an improved unwrapped continuous ?lamentary
(1) With prior processes, non-uniform bonding of tow tow having ?rmly-bonded ?ber constituents and prefer
?bers cannot be detected until after a tow is formed into ably la stiffened peripheral layer; (b) to provide a method
a ‘rod and cured. Moreover, with prior processes, no 70 and apparatus conforming with all of the hereinstated
compensation is made for non-uniformity in plasticizer objects, and adapted to form tows having various shapes
distribution. Accordingly, it is believed that tows made and sizes, as well as tows with central hollow passages
 3,095,343
therein; (c) to provide a method and apparatus as pre steam onto the tow under pressure in a con?ned area at
scribed in subparagraph (a) wherein segments of the an angle to the longitudinal axis, and in a direction op
tow are adapted for use as smoke ?lters, appliance ?lters, posite the direction of movement, of the tow, the steam is
valve ?lters, and/or ?lter stoppers for medicine bottles; caused to pass through the tow, between the ?bers and
(d) to provide a method and apparatus as prescribed in past the ?bers as they are being gathered together. All
subparagraph (a) above, wherein the segments of the of the ?laments and all of the plasticizer is thus at least
tow are adapted for use as pigment and dye storing and substantially uniformly heated, ‘and bonding is at least
dispensing means; ?avor and perfume storing and dis substantially uniform throughout. -
pensing means; medicinal and/or antibiotic applicators; As the tow moves beyond a steam-treating station
lubricant and antioxidant applicators, such as gun barrel 10 operating in accordance with the present invention, it
cleaners; and controllable adhesive, glue and paint ap contacts the surrounding atmosphere, and the tow ?bers
plicators; (e) to provide a method and apparatus con and plasticizer harden, thus giving the tow some dimen
forming with subparagraphs (c) and (d) wherein the sional stability, and a stiffened peripheral layer. However,
tow segments when put to the stated uses are inert, in movement of the tow is usually etfected by pulling there
soluble, non-toxic, chemically safe for the human touch, 15 on, and the steam-treated tow while ?rmly bonded and
and so constructed as to (1) prevent separation of liquid having substantially improved dimensional stability over
solution and emulsion components carried by the seg a nonsteam-treated tow, does not have complete dimen
ments, and (2) allow for controlled dispensing of the sional stability immediately and the pulling deforms the
adsorbed compositions. tow to a certain extent. Moreover, without further treat
Aside from the foregoing general objects of the present ment ?ber fusion can result so that the total ?ber surface
invention, the following speci?c objects are important: area of a tow is reduced and/ or the tow becomes exces
(1) the provision of a method of curing tow ?bers simul sively stiff.
taneously with their gathering into a rod-like structure, I have found that complete dimensional stability can
which method utilizes known expedients such as steam ‘be easily obtained by immediately passing the steam
streams and air streams and does not require expensive 25 treated tow through another con?ned area wherein dry
or elaborate equipment and/or excessive pressures or air is passed onto the tow preferably under pressure and
temperatures; (2) the provision of apparatus components in a direction opposite to the direction in which the tow
which aid in effecting the desired curing, and which can is moving. The air drying of the steam-treated, plasti
efficiently operate continuously over extended periods; cized, gathered, ?lamentary tow produces a quick setting
(3) the provision of a method and apparatus which are 30 of the plasticizer as well as cooling of the plasticized tow
designed to be utilized in production lines wherein a tow ?bers in their bonded state and causes the exterior sur
can be processed at speeds up to at least 100 meters per face of the tow to be hardened or stiffened whereby the
minute, and the objects of subparagraphs (1) and (2) tow has complete dimensional stability and can ‘be han
above are satis?ed; (4) the provision of an apparatus, as dled as a unitary body without the need of an exterior
prescribed in subparagraph (2), and having readily 35 coating or wrapping. Moreover, by air-treating the tow,
changeable components whereby tows of differing diam reduction of total ?ber surfaces ‘by fusion of adjacent
eters can easily be handled; (5) the provision of a method ?bers is substantially prevented, and the tow is not al
and apparatus conforming with all of the preceding lowed to become overly stiff because of such fusion.
objects wherein properties of the ?nal product are con ‘In addition to the improved curing steps generally dis
trollable in accordance with predetermined correlated cussed above, the invention provides suitable apparatus
relationships between the. speeds, pressures and tempera for carrying out the method and a new and improved
tures utilized for selected operations; and (6) the pro product.
vision of a method and apparatus conforming with all The apparatus, in its simplest aspects, comprises a
of the preceding objects wherein the continuous ?la housing, a core member carried by and partially within the
mentary tow has as :a major constituent cellulose acetate, 45 housing and having a tow passageway therethrough, and a
which can be mixed, according to the invention, with tow-receiving closure ‘for the housing having a passageway
other materials, such as cellulose, viscose, cotton, asbes aligned with that of the core member. The housing has
tos, metal ?bers, wood ?bers, and/ or sawdust to provide a gas inlet and the core member is provided with a plu
certain desired characteristics. rality of gas passageways communicating the gas inlet
In its simplest aspects, the invention provides, in a 50 with the tow passageway. In accordance with the pre
method of forming a continuous rod-like tow having ferred embodiments of the invention the gas passageways
?bers therein randomly oriented primarily in a longitu slope into the tow passageway in a ‘direction toward the
dinal direction and including the steps of impregnating a tow-receiving closure for the housing. The tow-receiving
spread layer of tow ?bers with a plasticizer and gathering closure is preferably removably secured to the housing
the tow into a rod-like formation, an improved curing 55 whereby the core members, like the closure members,
operation which comprises uniformly bonding the ?bers can be easily changed for handling tows of different diam
of the tow as it is gathered together by moving the tow eters. Basically, the same construction is used for the
through a con?ned area and directing steam onto the tow steam treatment as for the air treatment; however, the
in said area, whereby the steam passes through said tow. tow-receiving closure for the “steam treating” housing has
The aforesaid improvement, in more detail, includes pass an extended and ?ared tow-forming portion, and such
ing the steam onto the tow under pressure whereby the portion preferably is provided with escape passageways.
steam travels through the gathered ?bers in a direction The new and improved product of the invention is one
opposite the direction in which said tow is moving. In made in accordance with the process herein described, and
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the inven comprises basically a body of continuous ?laments ran
tion, the steam is directed onto the tow in streams making 65 domly oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction, the
an angle of approximately 45 degrees with the longitu major portion of the ?laments being cellulose acetate
dinal axis of the tow, since I have found that more effec ?bers, the ?bers being bonded to adjacent ?bers by a
tive penetration and better bonding is achieved when the plasticizer, the peripheral layer of ?bers providing a stiff
steam is passed onto the tow at this angle instead of ened peripheral shell for the body, and the body being
various other angles. 70 adapted for use as a ?lter and/or applicator and/or
The application of the steam to the ?lamentary tow adsorber.
as it is gathered together appears to result in softening of The various aspects of the invention will be better un
the tow ?bers and the plasticizer carried thereon, and derstood, and objects other than those speci?cally set
de?nitely has the effect of uniformly bonding the ?bers forth above will become apparent, when consideration is
of the tow together as they are gathered. By passing the 75 given to the ‘following detailed description of the illus
 ‘3,095,343
5 6
trative and preferred embodiments of the invention. The M (B) Caring the tom-Although the tow is preferablyv
description refers .to the annexed drawings, wherein: initially processed according to the known techniques de
FIGURE 1 presents schematically a production-line scribed above, it should be understood ( 1) that other
assembly of stations past which a continuous ?lamentary forms of apparatus and other techniques may be used
tow can be moved for treating in accordance with the ~ to provide a spread layer of at least substantially un~
method of the invention; crimped ?bers impregnated with a suitable plasticizer, and
FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an appa (2) that the basic improvement provided by the method
ratus provided by the invention for handling and steam of the invention lies in the processing and curing of such
treating a tow, in accordance with the method of the in spread layer of impregnated ?bers.
vention; 10 In accordance with the method of the invention, the
FIGURE 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the spread layer of impregnated ?bers leaving the plasticizer
apparatus shown in FIGURE 2, FIGURE 3 having been station 18 is ted to a ?rst curing station wherein the
taken on the line 3~3 of FIGURE 2; ?bers are simultaneously heated and gathered together.
FIGURE 4, like FIGURE 3, is a transverse cross-sec Disposed at this ?rst curing station 19 is a heating and
tional view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 2; how 15 shaping apparatus which may comprise, as shown in FIG
ever, FIGURE 4 is taken on the line 4—4 of FIGURE 2; URE 1, a tube or nozzle 19' having a funnel-shaped
FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an appa mouth or entrance 1% leading into the forming passage
ratus provided by the invention ‘for handling and air way 19b of the tube. The passageway 1% has a diame—
treating a tow in accordance with the method of the ter corresponding to the diameter desired for elements
invention; 20 which are to be produced, and serves to shape the tow
FIGURE 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the into a rod. Steam can be admitted into the tube through
apparatus shown in FIGURE 5, FIGURE 6 having been a suitable inlet 20 to hasten and more ‘uniformly and ade-m
taken on the line 6—6 of FIGURE 5; quately heat the ?bers and plasticizer of the tow during
FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional side View of an appa its passage through the tube, or, alternatively, a mixture
ratus provided by the invention, which is similar to that 25 of heated or vaporized water and plasticizer may be
shown in FIGURE 2, but which in addition incorporates sprayed on the tow during its passage through the ?rst
a central tow passageway forming member so that hol curing station 19 for’ the same purpose. In any event,
low tows can be produced thereby; a vaporized heated gas is passed onto the tow, or, more
‘FIGURES 7(a), (b) and (c) are schematic cross particularly, the plasticizer-impregnated layer 0t tow
sectional representations of alternative core passageway 30 ?bers, as such layer is gathered into a rod-like formation
and tow passageway forming member shapes; within the con?ned area de?ned by the tube 19'. Pref
FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a container erably, steam is used for the ?rst curing treatment, and
housing an adsorber and applicator assembly constructed such steam is passed into the con?ned area de?ned by
in accordance with the invention, and made from compo the tube under pressure and at an angle with respect to
nents processed in accordance with the invention; 35 the longitudinal axis of the tow whereby the steam travels
FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional side view of a cigarette counter-"current to the direction of movement of the tow.
provided with a ?lter made in accordance with the inven Although I have found that a substantial increase in
tion; and ' bonding of the tow ?bers is achieved by merely subjecting
FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional side view of a cigar the tow to steam immediately after the layer of impreg:
provided with a ?lter made in accordance with the in 40 nated ?bers is gathered into a rod-‘like formation, and
vention. while the same is con?ned, I have also found that more
‘For purposes of clarity and to facilitate a complete uniform bonding of the ?bers and greater dimensional
comprehension of the invention, the method, apparatus, stability of the tow can be obtained when the steam is
and product phases are considered hereinbelow under directed onto the tow counter-current to the direction of
separate headings. 45 movement thereof, and at a 45-degree angle with respect
GENERAL METHOD to the longitudinal axis of the tow whereby the steam
In the present description, it is assumed that a continu passes through the tow and out of the tow entrance end
ous-?lamentary tow has been formed for spinneret devices of the ?rst curing station so that the incoming impreg
by any one of the established techniques being widely 50 nated layer of ?bers is heated as it is gathered into a rod
like structure. , . ‘
used in the industry today for formation of “cigarette
?lter” tows, and that the same has been wound upon a
While FIGURE 1 presents schematically the type of
bale for storage whereby it can be withdrawn from the apparatus which may be used at the ?rst curing station,
bale as desired for further processing. Such a tow is preferably a gathering and steam-treating apparatus such
referred to herein as a “raw” or “untreated” tow, and, as as that described in detail hereinbelow and shown in F167
known to workers in the art, the ?bers of a raw or un URE 2 is used at the ?rst treating station. The pressure
treated tow are normally crimped and not bonded to of the steam being passed onto the tow, and the speed
gether. at which the tow is moved to the ?rst curing station will
(A) Initial treatm‘ent.—In accordance with the inven vary to a certain extent with the apparatus being used
tion, in accordance with prior art practices, and as shown 60 and/or other conditions. However, when the preferred
in FIGURE 1, the raw tow 10, in crimped form, is taken embodiments of the invention are adopted, I have found
from a supply bale ‘11 through an elevated banding device that suitable bonding of the ?bers can be achieved at tow
12 which comprises multiple jets disposed to blow air speeds of between 5'0—~l00 meters per'minute with steam
under pressure against the raw tow so as to separate the being introduced at a rate of between six pounds per hour
individual ?bers there-of. The banded tow then passes 65 to ten pounds per hour with tows adapted to be cut into
over a guide roller 13‘ to two spaced pairs of rollers 14, segments for use as cigarette ?lters. Preferably, the
“ 15 with the vibrator 16 disposed therebetween for alter steam introduced is saturated at an initial pressure of 20
nately applying tension to, and relaxing the tow so that pounds p.s.i.g. '
it becomes completely open, i.e., the ?bers are generally The tow, in the form of a rod-like structure as it
separated and at least substantially uncrimped. From 70 emerges from the ?rst curing station, is generally self~
the rollers 15 the tow passes another ‘banding device 117 sustaining in shape and in cured condition. The term
which is similar to the device 12 and serves to spread -“cured” as used in the art means a tow obtained from a
the tow into a thin ?ber layer. The ?ber layer is then process by which the ?bers of the tow are bonded to adja
passed through a plasticizing device 18‘ wherein a suitable cent ?bers after the ?bers have been gathered into a red
plasticizer is sprayed ‘by jets onto the ?bers. 75 like structure. The process of the present invention pre
 3,095,343
7
pares a cured tow more readily and with improved cutting thereof into segments; (b) that the uniformly
characteristics over those of the prior art. bonded dimensionally-stable tow is produced as rapidly
- A tow which has left a ?rst curing station of a produc as the tow is banded, tensicned, impregnated, and
tion line operated in accordance with the present inven gathered; and (c) that the linear tow speeds can be at
tion can be passed directly to an ordinary cigarette least as great as those encountered in conventional pro
machine cutting apparatus and severed into segments, and duction ‘lines operated in accordance with prior art prac
there is no need to apply a paper overwrap thereto. tices. Moreover, it should be apparent that no paper over
However, I have found that once the tow passes the ?rst wrap is required prior to severing of the ?nished tow into
curing station and is a cooperating mass within the con segments. Of course, it may be desired in some instances
?nes of a stiffened peripheral layer, a superior product 10 for special purposes to provide a special exterior coating
can be obtained by immediately ?xing the dimensions of on the tow, and such may be done without departing from
the rod without developing further stiffness or reducing the invention by using an annular brush or spray such as
the total ?ber surface by fusion of the ?bers. that schematically shown in FIGURE 1 and designated by
Thus, notwithstanding the fact that a tow which has the numeral 21. The formed tow can then be fed to a
been passed through a ?rst curing station, such as that 15 cutter 24, severed into segments such as those designated
designated by numeral 19, possesses some dimensional by the letter S, and stored in a suitable container 25.
stability and can be severed into segments, the preferred (C) Tow materials.—-—Various materials capable of be
embodiments of the invention provide for subjecting the ing formed into a continuous tow comprising a body of
tow to a second curing action immediately after its ?bers randomly oriented primarily in a longitudinal direc
emergence from the ?rst curing. station. 20 tion may be treated in accordance with the method of the
More speci?cally, in accordance with the preferred em invention and used to form products provided by the
bodiments of the invention, the tow which emerges from invention. It is an important feature of the invention,
the ?rst curing station 19 is fed directly to a second curing however, to form the continuous ?lamentary tow from
station 50 wherein dry air is passed onto the tow and cellulose acetate ?bers, and according to the preferred
through the tow to set the ?ber components and plasticizer 25 embodiments of the invention, any products produced
components of the tow so that it has complete dimensional comprise at least 50% cellulose acetate ?bers. For cer
stability without excess stiffness or ?ber fusion. Pref tain uses, and to achieve certain ?ltering and/ or adsorbing
erably, the air which is passed onto the tow at the second and/ or liquid-holding properties, the cellulose acetate
curing station 50 is perfectly dry, has a temperature of ?bers may be mixed with other materials, such as, cellu
90° F. or below, and is maintained under a pressure of 30 lose, viscose, cotton, cellulose acetate-butyrate, cellulose
between 50 and 100 p.s.i.g. Moreover, for optimum propionate, activated carbon, asbestos, metal ?bers, wood
results, the air should be passed onto the tow counter ?bers, and sawdust, and/ or mixtures thereof.
current thereto and at an angle of substantially 45 degrees (D) Suitable plasticizers-While the particular plasti
to the longitudinal axis of the tow. A suitable ‘apparatus cizer which is sprayed onto the spread layers of tow ?bers
for air-treating the tow at the second curing station 50 is at the plasticizing station 18 may be any one of the
shown in FIGURE 5 and described in more detail herein many known types of plasticizers which will serve to
after. suitably bond together the continuous ?laments being
The steam streams and air streams are preferably passed treated, preferably the plasticizer used is one selected from
onto the tow circumferentially thereof, and the steam the group consisting of diethoxyethyl phthalate, dimeth
injecting apparatus (best shown in FIGURE 2) as well 40 oxyethyl phthalate, triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, tri
as the air-injecting apparatus (best shown in FIGURE 5) cresyl phosphate, glycerine triacetate, glycerine tripro
provide for passing the respective gaseous streams onto pionate, triphenyl phosphate, ethyl phthalyl, ethyl glyco
the tow at spaced points about the periphery thereof so late, acetyl triiso hexyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, di
that uniform treating is achieved. rnethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, triethyl phosphate and
A tow which has been passed through a ?rst and second 45 tribetachlorethyl phosphate.
curing station and treated as described above not only (E) Fiber and tow denier.-—The denier of individual
has substantially uniformly-bonded ?bers within the tow, ?bers and the total denier of the tow may be varied as
but, in addition, has a stiffened peripheral layer or crust desired to achieve any given ?nished tow characteristic.
which gives the tow complete dimensional stability. As I have found, however, that best results can be obtained
the tow leaves the ?rst curing station 19, it has some when the individual ?ber denier ranges between 1.6 and
dimensional stability; however, it is not completely set, 16, and the total denier of the tow ranges between 37,000
and thus pulling of the tow, as suggested above, can result and 500,000. Of course, this includes the total denier
in some deformation thereof, particularly when the tow range of 37,000 to 100,000 normally used in the produc
has a substantial diameter. In addition, as also suggested tion of cigarette ?lters.
above, the ?bers of the two can become fused to reduce 55 APPARATUS
surface area and cause excess stiffness. For this reason,
in accordance with the invention, the second curing sta The preferred forms of apparatus used for treating a
tion is so disposed that the tow is cooled therein to essen tow at the ?rst and second curing stations in accordance
tially room temperature within .02 to .05 second after 1t with the method of the invention are shown in FIGURES
emerges from the ?rst curing station. By minimizing the 60 2 through 6.
time for travel between the ?rst and second curing sta (A) Steam-injecting apparatus.—The steam-injecting
tions, any tendency of the tow to deform is minimized, apparatus, which is best shown in FIGURE 2, comprises
and the ?ber components and plasticizer components of a housing 100 at least partially open at either end thereof
the tow are set without excess ?ber fusion, and in a cellu and de?ning a treating chamber 102 extending between
lar formation, or to give a cellular product. The air 65 the openings 104 and 106' at opposite ends of the housing
treatment not only insures against undesirable stiffness, 100. A core member 108 is disposed within the chamber
but also cools and dries the tow so that it can be wrapped 102 in juxtaposition to the forward end 110 of the cham
immediately, if ‘desired, without causing ‘deformation and ber. The core member has a tow passageway 112 there
wrinkles in the overwrap. through which extends between the ends of the housing,
From the foregoing ‘discussion, it should be apparent 70 and the core member also has ?uid passageways 114
that a tow which is treated in accordance with the present therein which extend angularly into the tow passageway
invention has uniformly-bonded ?bers and complete di 112. A closure member 116 is provided for closing the
mensional stability as it leaves the second curing station. rear end of the chamber or the end opposite the end
Moreover, it should be apparent (a) that no subsequent designated by numeral 110. The closure member has a
‘operations need be performed on the tow except for the 75 tow passageway 118 therethrough. Cooperating means
 3,095,343‘
9 . . , 10 . .

are provided on the housing 100 and closure member 116 sageways 140 slope into the tow passageway 118 and
for removably securing the closure member in position. communicate with the same at least substantially at
Preferably such cooperating means take the form of the junction of the tapered portion 118a and the portion
screw threads 120 which allow for removably securing 11% of uniform cross section.
the closure member to the housing with the tow passage The threaded coupling of the closure member 116 with
way 118 in the closure member coaxial with the tow the housing 100 serves to provide an effective seal at
passageway 112 in the core member. An inlet conduit the rear end of the treating chamber 102, and the bear
122 extends through a side wall of the housing and ing of the forward face 109 of the core member against
communicates with a chamber passageway 124 whereby the front wall 110 of the housing serves to provide an
the conduit and chamber passageway serve as means 10 eifective seal at the forward end of the chamber. Pref
for providing communication between the exterior of erably, the core member 108, in addition to havingthe
the housing 100 and the ?uid passageways 114 in the features described above, also is provided with a for
core member. With this general construction, the tow wardly-extending nozzle portion 150 through which a
10, when moved through the tow passageways 118 and continuation of the tow passageway 112 is provided.
112, can be subjected to ?uid introduced through the 15 The nozzle portion 150 has a peripheral shape and size
inlet conduit 122 while the tow is con?ned within the whereby it engages the surrounding walls of the opening
passageways. 104 in the forward end of the housing 100. It has
The closure member 116 is an elongated funnel-type been found that with this construction a sufficiently effec
member having a tow passageway with a ?rst tapered tive seal is provided, but it should be understood that
portion 118a leading into a second portion 118b of uni 20 suitable sealing washers and/or packings may be incor
form cross section. The tow passageway 112 in the porated in the apparatus of FIGURE 2 if desired.
core member 108 has a uniform cross section through It should also be understood that while I have shown a
out its length and this cross section corresponds to and cylindrical core member and a cylindrical chamber, the
is equal to the cross section of the second portion 11% chamber and core member may be made square or rec
of the tow passageway in the closure member 116. 25 tangular or of any other suitable shape. Similarly, while
The portion of the passageway 118 which receives the inlet conduit 122 has been shown as attached to‘ a
the impregnated ?ber ‘layer leaving the plasticizing sta ?anged bore in the housing side wall, to provide an inlet
tion 18, namely, portion 118a, is tapered to provide a conduit, any other suitable form of inlet conduit which
funnel-like structure leading into the portion 11811 of can be coupled with a source of steam or other heated
uniform cross section. Thus, the impregnated ?ber layer 30 vapors may be used.
is, as the tow is pulled through the apparatus of FIG Although the steam-injecting apparatus described above
URE 2, gathered into a rod-like structure. is suitable for many applications, I have found that gen
After the tow has been gathered into the rod-like struc erally the same type of apparatus can be used, with slight
ture, it passes next through the core member 108 which, modi?cation, to provide a tow having a passageway run
preferably, as shown in FIGURE 2, has a tapered recess 35 ning therethrough. ‘In this connection, particular atten
leading into the tow passageway 112. The core member tion is directed to FIGURE 7, wherein the modi?ed form
may have any suitable outline conforming with the cross of apparatus for producing a tow having a central pas~
section of the chamber 102; however, preferably, both sageway therein is shown. The FIGURE 7 apparatus
the chamber and the core member are generally cyline includes the same basic components as the apparatus of
drical in shape. The core member is provided with end 40 FIGURE 2, namely, a housing 100, a core member 108,
?ange projections such as those designated by numeral and a closure member 116. The tow passageways, steam
132, and these ?ange projections serve as means for inlet passageways, and air release passageways are pro
supporting the core member in spaced relation to the vided in the apparatus of FIGURE 7, as in the apparatus
side walls of the chamber to provide the chamber passage of FIGURE '2, and a detailed explanation of the apparatus,
way 124 between the core member‘ and the side walls of and function of each of the passageways, need not be
the chamber. The ?uid passageways 114 communicate 45 repeated.
with this chamber passageway, as does the inlet con The basic difference between the apparatus of FIGURE
duit 122, and thus steam passed into the inlet conduit 7, and the apparatus of FIGURE 2, is that the apparatus
122 passes through the ?uid passageways 114 in the of FIGURE 7 includes a tow passageway forming member
core member and onto the tow in a direction counter which preferably comprises an elongate tube 400. The
current to the movement of the tow. Preferably, the 50
tube ‘400 extends through the nozzle portion 150 of the
?uid inlet passageways 114 make an angle A of 45 de core member, the tow passageway 112 in the nozzle and
grees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tow or the core member, and the tow passageway in the closure
the longitudinal axis of the tow passageway in the core member 116. The rear portion of the tube 400‘ is pref
member. Steam which is so passed onto the tow travels erably bent upwardly, as shown, and the tube is apertured.
through the tow due to the pressure within the chamber 55 Steam is passed into the entrance end 401 of the tube 400,
in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of just as steam is passed into the inlet conduit 122 of the
the tow. Thus, steam which enters through the inlet housing 100. The amount of steam introduced, pounds
.conduit 122 is caused to move through the tow rear per hour per square inch cross section of the tow, and the
wardly of the ?uid passageways 114 and into the tow steam saturation, can be the same as for the steam in
passageway of the closure member 116. It will be re 60
troduced through the inlet conduit 122.
membered that this closure member 116 has a tow pas The tube 400 is supported centrally within the core
sageway 118 which serves to gather the tow and, ac
member 108, or more particularly the tow passageway 112
cordingly, the steam which is moving rearwardly through thereof, by the ?bers of the tow which are passing through
the tow serves to‘ heat the ?bers of the tow and plasticizer
impregnated thereon as the same is being gathered into the apparatus. To insure central disposition of the tube
a rodlike formation. Preferably, this treatment takes 400, the same can be initially adjusted if necessary.
place as the ?bers of the tow are assuming their ultimate The tube 400 as shown is circular in cross-section, how
disposition, or, ,more particularly, as the ?bers are mov ever, it should be understood that the tube can be square
ing from the tapered portion of passageway 118 into the ‘ in cross-section, or oval in cross-section, or of any other
portion of uniform cross section. cross-sectional shape desired. Preferably, the shape of the
To release air pressure within the tow, as it is assuming tube corresponds to the shape of the passageway 112 in
its ultimate dimension, the closure member 116 is pro the core member 108 but the cross-section of the tube can
vided with a series of escape passageways 140 extending diifer from the cross-section of the core passageway 112
between the tow passageway 118 and the exterior sur if desired.
face of the closure member. Preferably the escape pas 75 The apparatus shown in FIGURE 7, as suggested, in
 3,095,343
11 12
cludes a tube 400 having a circular cross-section. FIG above. Notwithstanding this fact, it is important to un
URE 7(a) shows a transverse cross-section of the core derstand that one of the principal features of the inven
passageway 112 and the tube 400 as the same would tion is the provision of (a) an improved cigarette ?lter,
appear when a circular tube and circular core passage and (b) the provision of a new type of adsorber and/ or
way construction is utilized in the apparatus of FIG applicator.
URE 7. FIGURES 7(a) and 7(1)) present alternative The improved cigarette ?lter and the new type of ad
core passageway shapes and alternative tube cross-section sorber and/ or applicator generally comprise a body
shapes. Prime numerals are used in FIGURES 7(a) and formed from continuous ?bers randomly oriented pri
7(b) to designate corresponding components. marily in a longitudinal direction and having a stiffened
(B) Air-injecting apparatus.—The air-injecting appara 10 peripheral layer or crust formed of the same materials as
tus of the invention is constructed in generally the same the interior portion of the body.
way as the steam-injecting apparatus, as will be .apparent The ?bers of the body are preferably cellulose acetate;
from a review of FIGURES 5 and 6. However, instead however, cellulose acetate and other materials set forth
of providing a funnel-type closure member at a rear end hereinabove as being suitable tow materials can be com
of the housing, an elongate plug 160 is provided and the 15 bined to provide the ?nal product. Of course, in accord
elongated tow gathering passageway 118 such as shown in ance with the invention, the body also includes a suitable
FIGURE 2 is replaced by a slightly tapered recess 162 plasticizer, and preferably one selected from the group of
on the end of plug 160 leading into a tow passageway 164 plasticizers set forth above. However, in accordance with
of uniform cross-section. Of course, the plug 160 need the preferred embodiments of the invention, the ultimate
not be elongate; however, the elongate construction is pre 20 product consists only of the continuous ?bers randomly
ferred because it is more easily handled. oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction and the
The core member 108a of the air-injecting apparatus plasticizer with which the ?bers are impregnated. 'Ihe
is substantially identical with the core 108 of the steam stiffened peripheral layer consists of exactly these mate
injecting apparatus; however, preferably two sets of ?uid rials, and the amount of plasticizer adjacent ?bers of the
inlet passageways are provided in the air-injecting appara 25 stiffened peripheral layer appears to be no greater than
tus. More speci?cally, in addition to the ?uid inlet pas the amount of plasticizer adjacent ?bers within the in
sageway group 114a, there is provided a second inlet ?uid terior of the body.
passageway group 115. The inlet passageway groups An example of a dispenser formed in accordance with
each comprise a series of individual ?uid passageways and the present invention is shown in FIGURE 8. The dis
the passageways in both groups are preferably disposed 30 penser includes any suitable housing or containing means
at a 45-degree angle with respect to the longitudinal axis such as that designated by numeral 200. Preferably, how
of the core member tow passageway and slope toward the ever, the containing means is provided with a nozzle 202
rear end of the housing or toward the closure member and a closure cap of some type such as that designated by
whereby ?uid passed into the housing is directed counter numeral 204. Disposed within the containing means is
current to the direction of movement of the tow through 35 an adsorber 206 which comprises a body of continuous
the housing. The passageway groups are preferably off cellulose acetate ?bers randomly oriented primarily in a
set. In FIGURES 5 and 6, prime numerals have been longitudinal direction and treated in accordance with the
used to designate components of the air-injecting appara method of the present invention. The adsorber 206 is
tus which correspond directly with components of the coupled with an applicator 208 having the rear end thereof
steam-injecting apparatus shown in FIGURES 2-4. 40 in contact with the adsorber forward end. The applica
The tow passageways in the core members, and the tor 208 also comprises a ‘body of continuous cellulose
uniform cross section portions of the tow passageways acetate ?bers randomly oriented primarily in a longitudi
in the closure members correspond exactly with the outer nal direction and treated in accordance with the present
contour of the rod-like tow structure which is being pro invention. However, the total denier of the applicator
duced. This is an important feature of the invention, be 208 and the denier of the ?bers thereof differ from the
cause, as explained above, the method of the invention total denier and the denier of the ?bers of the adsorber
provides for con?ning the tow during the steam treating 206. The adsorber 206 has a main function of holding as
and air treating operations whereby it obtains the dimen much ?uid as possible, while the applicator 208 has a
sional stability and uniform bonding characteristics de main function of dispensing or applying the ?uid uni
sired. Thus, when the operation is to be carried out on formly in controlled amounts. Thus, the denier of the
a tow having a larger or smaller diameter than that shown applicator is selected to provide suitable ?uid control dis
in FIGURES 2-6, it is necessary to change the size and/ or pensing characteristics, whereas the denier of the adsorber
shape of the tow-receiving passageways. With the appa 206 is selected to provide desired liquid-holding charac
ratus provided by the present invention, this is easily teristics. The applicator 208 and adsorber 206 are ?lled
achieved. The closure members can be made with pas 55 by dipping or injection with a material to be dispensed,
sageways of various sizes, as can the core members. Ac such as, for example, paint, perfume, or antiseptic.
cordingly, when it is desired to use the apparatus for _ Another example of a product which utilizes the inven
processing different size tows, it is only necessary to re tlon is presented in FIGURE 9. In that ?gure the nu
move the closure members, remove the cores, insert in meral 300 is used to generally designate a cigarette com
each housing a different core member having a tow pas 60 prising a paper overwrap 302, a body of tobacco 304, and
sageway of appropriate size, and then tighten on a closure a cigarette ?lter element 306. The cigarette ?lter element
member also having the appropriate size tow passageway. 306 comprises a segment of a tow treated in accordance
There is no need to disconnect any of the steam con with the present invention and thus has a stiffened pe
duits or any of the air conduits, nor is it necessary to in ripheral layer or crust. The cigarette ?lter element 306
any way move the housings. 65 is coupled with the cigarette paper 302 directly and there
PRODUCT is no intermediate layer of paper between the periphery
A tow which has been processed in accordance with the of the ?lter 306 and the outside paper covering 302 of the
method of the invention as described above, and which ?nal cigarette.
has been passed through suitable apparatus for carrying 70 Still another example of a product which utilizes the
out the method such as that also described above, gener invention is presented in FIGURE 10 wherein the nu
ally is cut into segments or lengths ‘for future use. The meral 500 ‘generally designates a cigar. The cigar com
segments, as explained, may be used for smoke ?lters, prises a tobacco ?ll 502 and a leaf-tobacco overwrap 504.
valve ?lters, stopper plugs, adsorbers, and/or applicators, Within the tobacco overwrap 504, at one end of the cigar,
as well as for other purposes outlined in detail herein 75 there is provided a cigar ?lter 506, which ?lter comprises
 3,095,343
13 ' r r 14 a

a segment of a tow treated in accordance with the present as set forth in Example 1, segments of each tow were
invention. dipped in ink, and the excess ink was‘ allowed to drip
EXAMPLES off. The segments were then weighed to determine the
. The various aspects of the vinvention described in detail ‘ ink absorbed.
hereinabove are illustrated further by the following ex TABLE I
amples. '
Example 1.—A continuous ?lamentary tow of‘yarn Fiber Con- Weight Ink Ad- Ratio,
type unplasticized dull cellulose acetate having 8 crimps Sample No. struetion Fiber sorbed cc./g.
(Denier) (g.) (cc.)
per inch produced by a crimping machine, 12 denier per
?lament, and 80,000 total denier was passed through a 0.65 4. 0 6. 2
banding device, and over a tension roller as shown in 0.66 3. 5 5. 3
0.68 4. 5 6.6
FIGURE 1, and slack was removed from the tow. The 0 67 4. 5 6. 7
tensioned tow was next passed through two pairs of con
trol drafting roll-s as illustrated in the accompanying draw
"Comparison example.—A tow was treated exactly as
ing (FIGURE 1) for the purpose of opening the tow 15 set forth in Example 1, except no steam was introduced
and breaking up bundles therein. The open tow was into the steam inlet of the steam-injection apparatus, and
thence directed to an air jet bundle breaking and banding no air was introduced into the air inlet of the air-injec
device of a typesuch as that described above. Air jets tion apparatus. The denier per ?ber and total denier of
from below the tow operating at a pressure of 1.5 pounds the tow was adjusted as set forth in Table I, and the ?ber
gauge. were directed against the tow and succeeded in 20 weight was determined. The tow emerging from the air
further breaking any individually-formed bundles there injecting apparatus was cut into segments. The segments
in and opening or banding the tow to provide a ?ber of the tow treated in accordance with this example were
mass of web-like form, approximately 12 inches in width. then dipped in ink, and the excess ink was allowed to
Thence, the opened and banded ?ber was sent through drip off. The ink saturated segments were then weighed,
a chemical conditioning station or plasticizing station 25 and the results were as set forth in Table II below.
whereit was continuously sprayed with 8% of glycerine
TABLE II
triacetate plasticizer. The sprayed, webbed ?ber layer
was then passed through‘a steam-treating apparatus such
' Fiber Con- Weight Ink Ad- Ratio,
as shown in FIGURE 2 at a linear tow speed ‘of 50 meters ‘ Sample No. struction Fiber sorbed eeJg.
per minute and approximately 6 pounds per hour of 30 (Denier) (g ) (00.)
steam was introduced through the ?uid inlet conduit of
the'housing. The'steam was saturated at an initial pres 1. 6/37, 000 0. 67 3. 5 5. 2
3. 9/87, 000 1. 07 3. 0 2. 9
sure of 20 pounds per square inch gauge and passed 8/80. 000 1.00 3. 0 3. 0
through the tow softening the same and uniformly bond 12/80, 000 0. 98 4. 0 4. 0
8/80, 000 0. 99 3. 0 3. 0
ing the ?bers of the tow as it was gathered together in 12/80, 000 0.98 3. 0 3.0
the apparatus. The tow was then moved from the steam 3. 9/87, 000 0. 93 3. 5 3. 8
5/80, 000 0. 90 3. 5 3. 9
treating apparatus at the same linear speed and through
‘an air-treating apparatus such as shown in FIGURE 5,
whereby within .03 second after leaving the steam-treat The tow produced in all of the examples except for
‘ing apparatus“ it was cooled to essentially room temperaT 40 the comparison example had a stiffened peripheral layer
turei Air having a temperature of approximately 90° and complete dimensional stability. Moreover, as is ap
F. was introduced ‘into the air-injecting apparatus of parent from a review of the results set forth in Tables
FIGURE 5 through the inlet conduit ‘of the housing at I and II above, the tow segments treated in accordance
a rate of about 5 cubic feet per minute and under an with the present invention had almost twice the ink
initial‘pres?sure of 80 p.s.i.g. ' The tow after leaving the holding power of comparable ?ber construction segments
air-injecting apparatus was cut into segments of suitable treated in accordance with the comparison example. The
length, for/future use as cigarette ?lters. ink-holding power of sample 1 of Table II was increased
l Example 2.—A tow was treated exactly as set forth because of the use of a ?ber having a very small denier.
in Example 1 and then the segments were used to form Thus, the method of the invention not only yielded the
a ?lter cigarette, constructed as shown ‘in FIGURE 8. result of providing a completely dimensionally-stable tow
Example 3.-—-A tow was treated exactly as set forth having a stiffened peripheral crust, but in addition it pro
in Example 1 except the tow was cut into segments ap vided the result of increasing the liquid-holding properties
pnoximatel‘y two inches in length andsuitable for use as of a continuous tow of ?bers randomly oriented primarily
applicators. , ~ ' ~ - in a longitudinal direction.
‘ Example 4._—~A- tow was treated exactly as set forth 55 Although detailed quantities have been used in the
in ‘Example 1 except the glycerine triacetate plasticizer foregoing examples, it has been found (a) that the par
was replaced by 7% acetyl triiso hexyl citrate. ticular plasticizer and amounts thereof are not critical, so
Example 5.—A tow was treated exactly as set forth long as the plasticizer is compatible with the tow ?bers,
in Example 1 except the tow was formed of 60% cellu and (b) that the method of the invention can be carried
lose‘ acetate ?bers and 40% cotton ?bers. ,out Within the following ranges which yield preferred
1 Example 6.—A.tow was treated exactly as set forth in ‘resultsz‘ . . .

Example 1 except it was moved through the steam-treat
ing andair-treating apparatus at the rate of 100 meters
per minute and 10 pounds of ‘steam per hour was intro
duced through the inlet to the housing.
Example 7.——A tow was treated exactly as set forth
in Example 1 except the same was moved through the
steam-treating and air-treating apparatus at the rate of
75 meters per minute and 9 pounds of steam per hour
was introduced through the inlet to the steam-treating
housing.
Example 8.--A tow was treated exactly as set forth in
Example 1 but the denier per ?ber and total denier of
the tow was varied as shown in Table I, and the ?ber
weight was determined. After the tows had been treated
(1) Tow speed: 2 to 100 meters per minute.
(2) Steam introduced: 5 lbs. per hour to 500 lbs. per
hour persquare inch cross-section of tow.
' (3) Steam saturation: 100% at initial pressure of be‘
tween 0 p.s.i.g. and 70 p.s.i.g.
(4) Cooling time after leaving steam-treating appara~
tus: preferably .02 to .05 second.
(5) Air temperature: preferably not over 90° F.
(6) Air introduced for cooling: preferably 10 cu. ft.
per minute to 1000 cu. ft. per minute per square inch of
tow cross-section.
After reading the foregoing detailed description of the
various aspects of the present invention, it should be
apparent that the objects set forth at the outset of this
 3,095,343
15 16
speci?cation have been successfully achieved. Various substantially uniformly with a plasticizer, and immediate
modi?cations of the illustrative embodiments of the in~ ly thereafter gathering said layer into a continuous rod
vention presented hereinabove may become apparent to like formation while simultaneously passing steam there
those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, through to cure the same and give dimensional stability
What is claimed is: thereto.
1. In a method of treating a continuous ?lamentary 7. In a method of fabricating cellulose acetate tow into
tow comprising cellulose acetate ?bers randomly oriented ?lter elements having a self-sustaining form, the steps of
primarily in a longitudinal direction and including the applying a plasticizer to the tow, passing the plasticized
steps of spreading the tow into a ?ber layer, impregnating tow through a con?ned area wherein the tow is formed
‘the ?ber layer with a plasticizer and gathering the ?ber 10 into a rod with the ?bers thereof drawn together, and
layer into a rod-like formation, the improvement of uni heating the plasticized tow during its passage through said
formly bonding the ?bers of the tow as gathered by con?ned area to effect rapid curing thereof and ?rm
moving the tow through a con?ned area and directing bonding of its ?bers together, wherein said rod has a
steam onto the plasticizer-impregnated tow in said area cross-sectional size equal to the cross-sectional size of
whereby the steam passes through said tow circumferen said ?lter elements, and wherein said plasticized tow is
tially thereof at an angle of approximately 45° with re heated by passing steam into said tow within said con
spect to the longitudinal axis of the tow, and counter ?ned area at a location within said con?ned area where
current to movement of said tow. said tow has been formed into said rod of said cross-sec
2. In a method of treating a continuous ?lamentary tow tional size.
of ?bers primarily composed of cellulose acetate and 20 8. In a method of fabricating cellulose acetate tow
randomly oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction into ?lter elements, the steps of applying a plasticizer to
and including the steps of spreading the tow into a ?ber the tow, passing the tow through a heated con?ned area
layer and impregnating the ?ber layer with a plasticizer, and introducing steam into‘ the tow during its passage
the improvement of simultaneously gathering the impreg through said con?ned area to e?ect rapid curing thereof.
nated layer into a tow of rod-like formation and uni 9. The method of claim 8 further including the step
formly bonding the ?bers of the tow by moving the same of shaping said tow into a rod of predetermined ?nal
through a con?ned area and passing steam onto the tow in cross-section during its passage through said con?ned
said area and counter-current to the direction of move area and wherein said steam is introduced into said tow
ment of the tow whereby the steam travels through said as shaped into said rod of predetermined cross-section.
tow in a direction opposite the direction in which said 30 10. In a method of treating a continuous ?lamentary
tow is moving. tow comprising cellulose acetate ?bers randomly oriented
3. In a method of forming a continuous tow comprising primarily in a longitudinal direction and including the
at least 50% cellulose acetate ?bers randomly oriented pri steps of spreading the tow into a ?ber layer, impregnat
marily in a longitudinal direction and including the steps ing the ?ber layer with a plasticizer and gathering the
of spreading the tow into a ?ber layer, impregnating the 35 ?ber layer into a rod-like formation, the improvement of
?ber layer with a plasticizer and gathering the ?ber layer uniformly bonding the ?bers of the tow as gathered by
into a tow of rod-like formation, the improvement of uni moving the tow through a heated con?ned area and di
formly bonding the impregnated ?bers of the tow and recting steam onto the plasticizer-impregnated tow in
giving dimensional stability thereto by moving the tow said area whereby the steam passes through said tow, ef
through a ?rst con?ned area and directing steam onto the 40 fecting at least substantially uniform curing thereof.
tow in said ?rst area whereby the steam passes through 111. In a method of fabricating cellulose acetate tow
said tow and immediately thereafter passing the into ?lter elements, comprising the steps of banding and
tow through a second con?ned area and directing air stretching the tow to separate ?bers thereof, applying a
onto the tow in said second con?ned area whereby said plasticizer to the separated ?bers of the tow, passing the
air passes through said tow. plasticized tow through a forming nozzle wherein the
4. The improvement de?ned in claim 3 wherein said tow is formed into a rod with the ?bers thereof drawn
steam and said air are passed onto said tow circumferen together, passing steam through said tow during its pas
tially thereof at an angle of approximately 45° with re sage through said nozzle to cure said tow, and cutting
spect to the longitudinal axis of the tow, and counter the cured tow into ?lter elements of a self-sustaining
current to movement of the tow. form.
5. The improvement de?ned in claim 4 wherein said References Cited in the ?le of this patent
tow is moved through said areas at a linear speed of be
tween 50 and 100 meters per minute; wherein said steam UNITED STATES PATENTS
is passed onto said tow at the rate of between 5 and 500
pounds per hour per square inch of tow cross-section; 2,255,859 Quigley _____________ __ Sept. 16, 1941
wherein said air has a temperature no greater than 90° 2,334,253 Davis ______________ __ Nov. 16, 1943
F. and is passed onto said tow at the rate of between 10 2,371,579 Cole et a1. __________ __ Mar. 13, 1945
and 1000 cu. ft. per minute per square inch of tow cross 2,398,856 Reel ________________ __ Apr. 23, 1946
section; and wherein said air cools said tow to a tem 60 2,610,769 Goetz ______________ .._ Sept. 16, 1952
perature of no greater than 90° F. within .02 to .05 sec 2,707,308 Taylor et a1. __________ __ May 3, 1955
ond after said tow leaves said ?rst con?ned area. 2,728,346 Crawford et al. ______ __ Dec. 27, 1955
6. In a method of treating a continuous ?lamentary 2,787,980 McDermott __________ __ Apr. 9, 1957
tow comprising cellulose acetate ?bers, the steps of 2,953,837 Crawford et al. ______ __ Sept. 27, 1960
spreading the continuous tow into a continuous ?ber 65 2,966,198 Wylde ______________ __ Dec. 27, 1960
layer, impregnating the continuous ?ber layer at least 3,079,978 Cobb et al. ______ __......__ Mar. 5, 1963