Abstract: The disclosure is of a method and apparatus for stripping leaf lamina from tobacco leaf stems. The apparatus comprises two pairs of opposed rollers in tandem relationship. The first set of rollers is driven at a fixed speed and serves to engage and feed tobacco leaf to the second set of rollers which are driven at a relatively higher speed. When the second pair of rollers engages the stem of the tobacco leaf, the stem is yanked away from the leaf lamina, which is held back by its engagement with the first pair of feed rollers. In this way stripping of the leaf lamina occurs. The disclosure is also of a method of destemming tobacco leaf, employing the apparatus of the invention. The method simulates the desirable results of hand stripping without an expenditure of hand stripping labor. The method is also advantageous in that it permits one to destem tobacco leaves having relatively low moisture content and at ambient temperatures, thereby effecting a considerable savings in energy expenditure.

Abstract: A cigarette rolling paper is provided with an integral pouch on one portion of the paper for receiving tobacco and for retaining and holding the tobacco therein while the rolling paper is rolled in a substantially cylindrical shape around the pouch to form a cigarette. The cigarette rolling paper has a single fold defining a bottom flap and an overlapping flap superposed upon an underlying area of part of the bottom flap. Each end edge of the overlapping flap is secured to an underlying area of the bottom flap along the end edges of the bottom flap leaving a side edge of the overlapping flap free of the bottom flap to thus form a pouch. The rolling paper is perforated inwardly of, and parallel to, each end edge for providing a tear strip at each end of the cigarette which can be torn away to expose the tobacco in the pouch and permit smoking of the cigarette.