CN1436050A - Smokable filler material contg. fruit material - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a smokable filler material comprising a fruit material as a major organic combustible fuel material, a non-combustible inorganic filler and a binder. The smokable filler material may be used with or without additional tobacco material.

Description

Tobacco filler material containing fruit substances

The present invention relates to a tobacco (smokable) filler material, especially, but not exclusively, a tobacco filler material for cigarettes.

Filler substances suitable for use as tobacco substitute materials have been proposed for many years, but relatively few studies have been conducted using materials derived from fruit. Where fruit is used, the fruit is usually added in small amounts to provide sugars and amino acids or as a structure former, see e.g. UK Patent Specification No. 1 412 878. The predominant organic combustible substances, ie such predominant combustible substances in the latter, are selected from chaff, straw, wheat bran or husk material, ie waste products of the cereal or nut type.

The present invention enables the provision of a tobacco filler material wherein fruit material constitutes the tobacco filler material or is one of the principal combustible materials of the tobacco filler material.

The invention can also be used with or without additional tobacco material, whether cut tobacco or reconstituted cut tobacco sheets.

Further, the tobacco filler material has tobacco properties that enable product manufacturers to select appropriate flavorants and packaging to provide an acceptable smoke taste and aroma.

According to the present invention, smoke derived from tobacco filler material is effective in reducing the smoker's absorption of certain smoke constituents.

The present invention provides a tobacco filler material comprising a non-combustible inorganic filler, a binder and fruit material as the principal organic combustible material.

The inorganic filler material preferably constitutes 30-90% by weight of the dry material.

Tobacco filler materials produced by casting methods preferably comprise inorganic filler material in an amount of 50-80% by weight of the dry material, more preferably >60% by weight, even more preferably >70% by weight.

In addition, the tobacco filler material produced by the extrusion method preferably contains an inorganic filler material of 30-70% by weight of the dry material, more preferably an inorganic filler material of 35-60% by weight of the dry material, even more preferably 45-55% by weight of the dry material. % by weight and more preferably about 50% by weight.

The binder preferably comprises 3-25% by weight of the dry material, more preferably such binder comprises 5-15% by weight of the dry material, more preferably less than 12% by weight, or even more preferably less than 10% by weight. weight%. This binder may preferably comprise about 7.5% by weight of the dry material.

The fruit material is preferably 2-50% by weight of the dry material, more preferably 5-15% by weight, even more preferably 10% by weight or more for tobacco filler materials prepared by casting methods, and may preferably is about 12.5% by weight. For tobacco filler materials prepared by extrusion processes, the fruit material preferably comprises 2 to 50% by weight of the dry material. More preferably the fruit material comprises 10-30% by weight of the dry material, even more preferably about 20% by weight.

Tobacco filler material prepared by casting method may preferably contain 10-20% fruit, 10% sodium alginate, 70% chaff and 10% glycerin. An acceptable filler material could be produced using 7.5% sodium alginate with a corresponding increase in fruit content.

Tobacco filler materials prepared by extrusion methods may preferably comprise 10-20% fruit, 20% starch, 50% chaff, 10% hydroxypropyl cellulose and 0-10% glycerin.

The non-combustible inorganic filler material is preferably an inorganic filler selected from silicates or aluminosilicates, such as perlite, vermiculite, diatomaceous earth, talc or colloidal silica; or metal oxides, metal salts or hydroxides such as magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, calcium or magnesium carbonate or aluminum oxide. The preferred inorganic filler is a low density material, suitably <5 g/cm ³ , preferably below 4 g/cm ³ and more preferably <3 g/cm ³ . Mixtures of these fillers are also acceptable.

Tobacco filler materials may also contain organic fillers. It is preferably inert or relatively inert by itself, ie does not readily sustain combustion, but can become more flammable in admixture. That is, organic filler materials that keep burning. Suitable organic fillers include insoluble alginates such as calcium or magnesium alginate, calcium pectate or alginate, and unmodified cellulose such as treated or untreated wood pulp or alpha-cellulose wait. Mixtures of inert organic and inorganic fillers may also be used.

The organic filler content is preferably 0-40%. This organic filler helps to improve the soot characteristics of the tobacco filler material. It may preferably comprise a combustible organic material with a naturally low nitrogen content, ie less than 0.25%, more preferably less than 0.2% and even more preferably less than 0.1% dwb of total nitrogen.

Preferred binders are organic binders such as alginates, gums, cellulose (modified or natural), pectin or pectin binders, or Group I or II metal salts of these binders , such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose or sodium alginate.

More preferred adhesives are seaweed-based adhesives, including soluble alginates such as ammonium alginate, sodium alginate, sodium calcium alginate, calcium ammonium alginate, potassium alginate, triethanolamine alginate and Propylene glycol alginate. Algal binders according to the invention provide tobacco filler materials with superior tobacco mechanics and flavor characteristics.

Cellulosic binders include, for example, cellulose derivatives such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose or cellulose ethers. These binders are preferably used in extrusion processes.

Other organic binders include gums such as acacia, ghatti, tragacanth, karaya, locust bean, acacia, guar, quince seed or fucooligosaccharide gums, or gelatinous Examples include agar, agarose, carrageen. Pectin and pectin-containing materials can also be used as binders. Starch can also be used as an organic binder. Other suitable gums can be selected by reference to handbooks such as "Industrial Gums" by Whrster (Science Press). Inorganic non-combustible binders such as some cements such as Portland cement can also be used, as can combinations of the above materials.

If the binder is alginate, especially monovalent alginate, it is desirable to keep the pH of the slurry below 5 or above 3, ie 3-5, during the processing stage in order to improve the adhesion of the alginate. This can be achieved by balancing the content of fruit material and inorganic fillers, or by neutralizing the pulp with the addition of acidic substances such as citric acid or alkaline substances such as sodium carbonate.

Fruit material is suitably derived from one or more derivatives of fruit such as whole fruit, dried fruit, fruit pulp, fruit concentrates i.e. fruit residues from fruit juice manufacturing plants, fruit pastes, jams, powdered extracts of fruits or liquid extracts. If a liquid extract is used, it is preferred that the extract is not the pure sugar derived from the fruit. Mixtures of each substance are also acceptable. For some fruit derivatives, granulation of the fruit material by, for example, mixing fruit liquor or slurry with inorganic fillers, drying and grinding is also preferred for ease of processing.

Preference is given to fruits with a low sugar content, i.e. 70% or less. It is also advantageous to find high sugar content fruits from which sugars are removed, so that when such fruit material is added the sugar content is preferably less than 20%.

Advantageous fruit material is selected from soft fruit, citrus fruit, berry fruit, or processed fruit material such as dry powder or dietary fiber. Preferably selected fruit material has a low nitrogen content, preferably <1.8% dwb, more preferably <1.0% dwb, even more preferably <0.6% dwb. The fruit is suitably selected from one or more of the following: pineapple, mango, raisin, apple, banana, apricot, lemon, peach, kiwi or grape. The first three are especially preferred. In the present invention, seeds from these materials are not considered at this stage.

Each fruit powder or concentrate can be mixed with water until completely dissolved. The pulp from the fruit is properly percolated so that it finely separates and then leaves this fiber relatively intact. The fibers can be separated from the liquid to vary the fiber to liquid ratio if desired. If dried fruit is used, it is preferred that the fruit is boiled in water. If high sugar fruits are used, they are preferably boiled and percolated to remove a proportion of the organic acids and sugars, and then blended to produce a homogeneous mixture or paste.

Preferred aerosol generating agents comprise aerosol forming agents such as glycerin and/or other aerosol forming compounds, as described in our co-pending PCT application WO96/07336. These include polyhydric alcohols such as propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, esters such as triethyl citrate, glyceryl triacetate or triethylene glycol diacetate (TEGDA) or high boiling alkanes. Other suitable aerosol formers are known to those skilled in the art.

The aerosol generating agent is preferably mixed into the filler material at a level of 0-30%. For tobacco filler materials produced by drum casting, the aerosol generating agent more preferably comprises 5-15% by weight of the dry material, even more preferably about 10% by weight. For tobacco filler materials prepared by extrusion processes, the aerosol generating agent more preferably comprises 0-10% by weight of the dry material, even more preferably 3-5% by weight or less. The aerosol generating agent is pumped into the barrel of the extruder. It is also desirable to use a plasticizer, if the plasticizer is the same as one of the suitable aerosol generators listed, then such plasticizer may be present in some suitable amount, ie it is not the primary aerosol generator. Apart from fillers, fruit and binders, each additional ingredient is selected according to the nature of the final material.

Other flavoring materials such as coffee, cocoa, caramel, spices from roots such as ginger or licorice, tobacco dust or tobacco extracts can also be added to the tobacco filler material in an amount of <10% by weight, preferably <5% by weight of the dry material %.

The tobacco filler material is preferably prepared by mixing all powdered materials (excluding the binder), adding water, and then gradually introducing the binder while applying high shear to the mixture. Further water can then be added to achieve the desired viscosity.

The viscosity of the final slurry is preferably 60,000-400,000 centipoise, more preferably 150,000-250,000 centipoise. The final viscosity will depend on the casting method (drum or flat sheet), extrusion or papermaking method used.

The final slurry is suitable for casting, which can then be stored, dried, and shredded to produce filamentous tobacco filler material.

Tobacco filler material can also be produced by extrusion, where the extruded material can be a foamed or non-foamed material. Suitable expanders or blowing agents are described in our co-pending PCT application WO96/07336. The content related to the expansion agent is hereby incorporated by reference. Suitable bulking agents include starch, amylose or other polysaccharides, including cellulose derivatives, solid blowing agents, inorganic salts, organic acids that can provide gaseous species in situ, organic blowing agents, inorganic blowing agents, and Volatile liquid blowing agent. The expansion agent can partially replace the inorganic filler. Bulking agents may be present in an amount of 0-40% by weight of the dry material, preferably less than 30% by weight, more preferably about 20% by weight. For such expansion systems, water is the most commonly preferred volatile expansion agent. Other bulking agents are well known. The tobacco filler material is preferably prepared by mixing all powdered materials, including binder, and then pumping the water and glycerin into the barrel of the extruder. The extruded material may be in the form of rods, strips, filaments or sheets which are then chopped to provide the filler material. Wrapping or twisting the strips or filaments can provide air passages if the extruded material does not allow air entry or smoke circulation. Other co-current processing techniques can also be used to improve pressure drop if the extrudate is in rod form, if desired. Various forms of extrusion are described in our co-pending PCT applications, incorporated herein by reference. Tobacco filler materials may also contain combustion additives to enhance the combustion properties of the filler material. Depending on the nature of the filler, the combustion additive is either a combustion accelerator or a flame retardant. Suitable combustion additives may be selected from one or more Group I or Group II metal salts such as acetates, citrates and other combustion enhancers known to the skilled person. Suitable flame retardants include magnesium hydroxide, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, or magnesium chloride, among others.

The tobacco filler material may also contain a soot modifier, which is preferably present at 0-5% in the filler. Suitable soot modifiers include one or more selected from mica, perlite, clay, vermiculite, kaolin, talc, talcum powder, bentonite, and soot modifiers such as disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium carbonate or dihydrogen phosphate Ammonium etc.

According to one aspect of the invention, the invention also provides a smoking article comprising tobacco filler material in rod form wrapped in a wrapper.

The tobacco filler material can account for 100% of the rod-shaped material packed in the package, and the tobacco filler material in the present invention can also be mixed with tobacco shreds or tobacco sheets, such as regenerated sheet materials. The preferred amount of tobacco material in such blends does not exceed 40% by weight and more preferably <30% by weight of the final blend.

Suitable packaging materials may be paper packaging materials or substantially non-combustible packaging materials such as those described in International Patent Application WO96/07336. This application is hereby incorporated by reference as it relates to substantially non-combustible packaging materials. The packaging material therein preferably contains at least 65% inorganic particulate filler material, such as those described above.

Traditional cellulose pulp paper packaging materials may have a permeability of 2-300CU and preferably less than 100CU. This packaging material may also be a low full filler paper as disclosed in our European patent application 0 404 580 and contain less than 14% magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide or the like.

In order that the present invention may be easily understood and easily carried out, the following examples are now provided for reference.

Example 1

A general method is described below.

Initially, the water, glycerin and chaff were thoroughly mixed using a Silverson mixer until a homogeneous slurry was obtained. Mix the fruit powder or concentrate separately with a small amount of water and stir until completely dissolved. If using dried fruit, then the fruit is boiled in boiling water for 20-30 minutes, then blended in a food processor until a uniform paste is obtained. Depending on the sugar content of the fruit, organic acids and sugars can be removed by diafiltration.

This fruit paste or fruit solution is added to the chaff slurry and mixed. Depending on the alginate binder used, it is important to control the pH, as low pH was found to have a detrimental effect on the adhesion of sodium or ammonium alginate binders, resulting in poorer quality. Poor sheet material which, when shredded, cannot pass satisfactorily through a cigarette maker due to reduced strength.

Finally, gradually add the binder to this mixture, adding more water if necessary. The ideal final viscosity of the slurry should be 150,000-250,000 centipoise.

In the following examples, the slurries were cast on a drum caster to produce uniform sheets. The resulting sheets were stored at about 60% relative humidity for 24 hours before being shredded using a Hauni tobacco shredder or a paper shredder. After drying the filamentous material for 48 hours, the material is ready to be rolled into cigarettes on a cigarette rolling machine.

Example 2

As representative samples, 3 types of fruits were used to prepare tobacco filler materials. Pineapple concentrate (75° BRIX) was obtained from HAX Ltd (London), powdered mango extract was obtained from Key Ingredients Ltd (Cheltenham), raisins (whole fruit) from Tesco supermarkets were suitably processed into cast sheets respectively material and chopped. The proportion of each material is: 7.5% fruit material, 12.5% sodium alginate binder, 70% coarse chaff inorganic filler and 10% glycerin aerosol.

Each shredded material was then prepared into cigarettes 24.70 mm in diameter and 64 mm long with 20 mm cellulose acetate filters and 5CU wrappers containing 0.55% potassium citrate burner therein. This cigarette structure was directly comparable to a control commercial King Size, full-flavoured, Virginia-style cigarette.

The cigarettes are smoked under standardized mechanical smoking conditions, i.e. 35ml of smoke per minute for two seconds. Statistical correlation was performed for the number of cigarettes (see Proctor. C et al. Analysis, October 1988, Vol. 133, pp. 1509-1513). In this case, use 5 cigarettes per platform in one tunnel and take the average value of 4 tunnels.

The main smoke emissions are given in Table 1 below, which were reduced compared to the control cigarettes (see Table 2).

Table 1

Effect of fruit type on main smoke emissions cigarette code Fuel dry weight (g) Flue gas volume TPM(mg/cigarette) Water (mg/cigarette) Carbon monoxide (mg/cigarette) Nicotine (mg/cigarette) NFDPM(mg/cigarette) Glycerin (mg/cigarette) NHFDPM(mg/cigarette) Pineapple Mango Raisin Control 1.111.171.210.78 5.76.36.38.0 11.2310.429.8321.63 4.743.963.034.81 4.405.404.5015.00 ---1.42 6.496.476.8015.40 5.896.355.75- 0.60.121.0515.40

NFDPM = nicotine-free dry particulate matter (TPM-NFDPM = water + nicotine)

NHFDPM = dry particulate matter without nicotine and humectants (NFDPM-NHFDPM = glycerin)

Table 2

Achieved reduction (%) cigarette code reduce percentage Dilution (W+G/TPM)(%) TPM water NFDPM carbon monoxide NHFDPM Pineapple Mango Raisin 238SE555 485255- 11837- 616260- 716468- 979989- 95998922

W = water

G = Glycerin

Example 3

Other experimental mixtures prepared included the following samples.

table 3 fuel(%) Sodium alginate (%) glycerin(%) Chaff (%) Spray Dried Tobacco Vacuum Dried Black Tea Seeds Vacuum Dried Pineapple (I) Pineapple Concentrate 75 Brix (II) Apple Concentrate 75 Brix Strawberry Concentrate 75 C Brix Banana Concentrate 68 C Brix Rosemary Dried Powder Pineapple Concentrate 75 Brix(III) Vacuum Dried Mango Dried Raisins 20202020202020207.57.57.2 7.57.57.57.57.57.57.57.512.512.512.5 1010101010101010101010 62.562.562.562.562.562.562.562.5707070

From all the examples it can be seen that the use of the tobacco filler material of the present invention provides significant aerosol release advantages. In particular the table shows significant dilution of primary and secondary smoke emissions.

Further, this material can also be implemented very well in conventional cigarette manufacturing situations, therefore, no modification of existing equipment is required.

A smoke low in nitrogenous compounds is obtained and, surprisingly, a dry smoke low in particulate matter can also be obtained. Despite the high content of non-combustible inorganic fillers, a basic aerosol consisting mainly of glycerin and water can be produced.

The final product also provides low nitrogen and average ammonia nitrogen products (see Table 4)

Table 4

Average Total Nitrogen & Ammonia in Drum Cast Sheet sample discription Total nitrogen (%dwb) Average ammonia nitrogen (%dwb) Tobacco SE555 Pineapple I Tomato Tea Rice Strawberry Pineapple II Apple Banana Mango Rosemary Pineapple III Raisin Extracted Raisin 2.000.060.300.040.020.020.010.050.180.070.020.090.02 0.0160.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.00

Example 4

The general method for extrusion is described below:

A dry mixture prepared from chaff (50%), dried or powdered fruit (20%), pregelatinized starch (20%) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (10%) is then filled into the extruder and pump water and glycerin (3-5%) into the extruder. The extruder barrel is heated point by point along the barrel to generate temperatures in the heated extruder zone, typical temperatures are 70, 100, 110, 120, and 130 degrees Celsius. The pressure at the extruder die is usually around 30 bar and should in any case be less than 100 bar. The extruder screw should be designed to impart sufficient energy to this mixture to produce a blown extrudate as the material emerges from the extruder die. The extrudate formed is in the form of a tube or a foamed sheet. The ideal pipe to be produced has a very small diameter hole vertically through the center.

The extrudate from the extruder die can be removed by a suitable ejection system.

Claims (52)

1. smokable filler material comprises the inorganic filler, adhesive of non-combustible and as the fruit material of main organic ignitable fuel material.

2. according to the smokable filler material of claim 1, wherein said inorganic filler material accounts for the 30-90 weight % of drying material.

3. according to the smokable filler material of claim 2, wherein said inorganic filler material accounts for the 50-80 weight % of drying material.

4. according to the smokable filler material of claim 3, wherein said inorganic filler material accounts for more than the 60 weight % of drying material.

5. according to the smokable filler material of claim 4, wherein said inorganic filler material accounts for more than the 70 weight % of drying material.

6. according to the smokable filler material of claim 2, wherein said inorganic filler accounts for the 30-70 weight % of drying material.

7. according to the smokable filler material of claim 6, wherein said inorganic filler material accounts for the 35-60 weight % of drying material.

8. according to the smokable filler material of claim 7, wherein said inorganic filler material accounts for the 45-55 weight % of drying material.

9. smokable filler material according to Claim 8, wherein said inorganic filler material accounts for about 50 weight % of drying material.

10. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, the 3-25 weight % of wherein said binder constitutes drying material.

11. according to the smokable filler material of claim 10, the 5-15 weight % of wherein said binder constitutes drying material.

12. according to the smokable filler material of claim 11, wherein said adhesive is less than 12 weight % of drying material.

13. according to the smokable filler material of claim 12, wherein said adhesive is less than 10 weight % of drying material.

14. according to the smokable filler material of claim 13, wherein said adhesive is about 7.5 weight % of drying material.

15. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, wherein said fruit material accounts for the 2-50 weight % of drying material.

16. according to the smokable filler material of claim 15, wherein said fruit material accounts for the 5-15 weight % of drying material.

17. according to the smokable filler material of claim 16, wherein said fruit material accounts for 10 weight % or more of drying material.

18. according to the smokable filler material of claim 17, wherein said fruit material accounts for about 12.5 weight % of drying material.

19. according to the smokable filler material of claim 15, wherein said fruit material accounts for the 10-30 weight % of drying material.

20. according to the smokable filler material of claim 19, wherein said fruit material accounts for about 20 weight % of drying material.

21. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, wherein said non-flammable inorganic filler is selected from silicate or alumino-silicate, metal oxide, slaine or metal hydroxides.

22. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, wherein said inorganic filler is a kind of low density material.

23. according to the smokable filler material of claim 22, the density of wherein said inorganic filler is less than 5g/cm ³

24. according to the smokable filler material of claim 23, wherein said density is less than 3g/cm ³

25. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, wherein said smokable filler material comprises organic filler.

26. according to the smokable filler material of claim 25, wherein said organic filler is selected from insoluble alginate, Calcium Pectate, alginic acid or unmodified cellulose.

27. according to the smokable filler material of one of claim 25 or 26, the content of wherein said organic filler is 0-40%.

28. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, wherein said smokable filler material comprises a kind of flammable organic material with natural low nitrogen content.

29. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, wherein said adhesive is a kind of organic bond.

30. according to the smokable filler material of claim 29, wherein said organic bond is selected from alginate, natural gum, cellulose (modification or natural), pectin or contains the pectin adhesive, perhaps the I family of these adhesives or II family slaine.

31. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, wherein said fruit material is one or more in the numerous fruits derivative.

32. according to the smokable filler material of claim 31, wherein said fruit material is that one or more are selected from following material: whole fruit, dry fruit, pulp, fruit concentrate.

33. according to the smokable filler material of one of claim 31 or 32, wherein said fruit material has 70% or low sugar contents still less.

34. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, the fruit material that wherein said fruit material is selected from seedless class fruitlet, citrus fruit, berry fruits or processes.

35. according to the smokable filler material of claim 34, wherein said fruit material has low nitrogen content.

36. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, wherein said fruit material is selected from one or more of following fruit: pineapple, mango, raisins, apple, banana, apricot, lemon, peach, Kiwi berry or grape.

37. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, wherein said smokable filler material comprises smog and produces agent.

38. according to the smokable filler material of claim 37, wherein said smog produces agent and sneaks in the described filler material with the content of 0-30%.

39. according to the smokable filler material of claim 38, the content that wherein said smog produces agent is 5-15%.

40. according to the smokable filler material of claim 39, wherein said smog produces the 10 weight % that agent accounts for drying material greatly.

41. according to the smokable filler material of claim 38, wherein said smog produces agent and sneaks in the described filler material with the content of 0-10%.

42. according to the smokable filler material of claim 41, wherein said content range is 3-5%.

43. according to the smokable filler material of one of front claim, wherein said filler is produced by The tape casting.

44. according to the smokable filler material of one of claim 1-42, wherein said filler is produced by extrusion molding.

45. according to the smokable filler material of claim 44, wherein said smokable filler material comprises a kind of swelling agent.

46. according to the smokable filler material of claim 45, wherein said swelling agent is the 0-40 weight % of drying material.

47. according to the smokable filler material of claim 46, wherein said swelling agent is less than 30 weight % of drying material.

48. according to the smokable filler material of claim 47, wherein said swelling agent approximately is 20 weight % of drying material.

49. a smoking product comprises the smokable filler material rod with wrapper packaged, described smokable filler material is the smokable filler material according to one of front claim.

50. according to the smoking product of claim 49, wherein said smokable filler material and tobacco filament or the sheet material that contains tobacco mix.

51. according to the smoking product of claim 50, wherein said tobacco filament or the sheet material that contains tobacco are no more than 40 weight % of final mixture.

52. according to the smoking product of claim 49, wherein said packing material is a kind of wrapper thing or non-flammable substantially packing material.