Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a sheet including a homogenized material containing alkaloids, said method comprising: —forming a mixture comprising particles of a material containing alkaloids and a starch component, and a quantity of a first additive comprising a component selected from the group consisting of water, aerosol-former and binder, wherein the quantity of the first additive is comprised between about 0.1 percent and about 50 percent by weight of the total weight of the mixture; —applying to the mixture a mechanical energy of at least about 20 watt-hour per kilogram of the mixture; —combining the mixture with a quantity of a second additive comprising a component selected from the group consisting of water, aerosol-former, and binder, to form a slurry; and —forming a sheet from the slurry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a material containing alkaloids, said method comprising: —forming a mixture comprising a reducing sugar and particles of a material containing alkaloids; —extruding the mixture, wherein extruding includes: feeding the mixture to an extruder; heating the mixture to a first temperature lower than or equal to about 190 Celsius degrees; cooling the mixture from the first temperature to a second temperature lower than or equal to about 70 Celsius degrees; and discharging an extruded mixture from the extruder.

Abstract: A flavour delivery system for tobacco includes a flavour material entrained in a zeolite material and forming a core and a wax material encapsulating the core.

Abstract: A flavor-containing sheet for a smoking article, the sheet comprising a thickening polysaccharide, a flavor, an emulsifier, and a filler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a homogenized tobacco material, said method comprising: —pulping and refining cellulose fibres to obtain fibres having a mean size per weight comprised between about 0.2 millimetres and about 4 millimetres; —grinding a blend of tobacco of one or more tobacco types to tobacco particles having a mean size per weight comprised between about 0.03 millimetres and about 0.12 millimetres; —Combining the cellulose fibres with the tobacco particles and with a binder to form a slurry; —homogenizing the slurry; —adding asparaginase to the slurry; and—forming the homogenized tobacco material from the slurry, wherein the homogenized tobacco material comprises from about 1 percent and about 5 percent in dry weight basis of the binder.

Abstract: An ecocompatible container for recycling cigarette butts is constituted by a cylinder including an openable upper cover, a base and an intermediate portion which houses a common hopper in external communication with ashtrays through which the cigarette butts are introduced, wherein via the hopper, the butts are introduced into a screening basket with balls, in which the rotation of the screening basket allows, by mutual impact and friction of the balls, crushing the cigarette butts and hence effectively separating the organic portion, i.e. the filter paper and the residual tobacco that fall by gravity through holes into an underlying suitable collection container, from the resistant, fibrous portion constituted only by the filters of the cigarettes which, when sucked by a small suction motor, will fall into an underlying filter accumulation chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tobacco preparation method, wherein a tobacco material is prepared through at least one extrusion process comprising compressing the material with an increase in pressure and temperature and mechanically processing and abruptly flash drying the material of an extruder outlet, wherein the tobacco material comprises a tobacco lamina material. The invention further relates to a tobacco preparation device comprising a dosing conveyor (2) and an extruder (3) which compresses a tobacco material with an increase in pressure and temperature and mechanically process and abruptly flash dries the material at the extruder outlet, wherein the components (3, 4) are designated as a unit which can be modularly delimited for processing a tobacco material comprising a tobacco lamina material.

Abstract: A component of a smoking article having tobacco beads. The tobacco beads can be located in a filter and/or a tobacco rod. The filter can be a multi-component filter, wherein an sorbent (preferably upstream) removes at least one constituent from mainstream tobacco smoke passing through the filter and downstream tobacco beads compensates for taste lost to the sorbent. The tobacco beads optionally include flavorants in addition to tobacco particulates. The tobacco beads can be located within a cavity in the filter or within the tow. This component can comprise additional flavors, which are released into the mainstream smoke under ambient conditions. The tobacco beads optionally include binders such as microcrystalline cellulose or other cellulosic material, which can be formed into a paste with tobacco powder and optionally with additional flavors. The paste can be extruded and spheronized to form the tobacco beads.

Abstract: A system (1) for portioning and packaging a tobamel smoking mixture (2) comprises a unit (3) internally of which the mixture (2) is prepared by blending tobacco en masse with agglutinants such as honey or molasses, and an extruder unit (17) by which the mixture (2) is shaped into a continuous rod (20).

Abstract: Cigarette paper, methods for making cigarettes and methods for smoking cigarettes are provided, which involve the use of an oxyhydroxide compound that is capable of decomposing to form at least one product capable of acting as an oxidant for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and/or as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The oxyhydroxide compound and/or the product formed from the decomposition of the oxyhydroxide can be in the form of nanoparticles. The oxyhydroxide compounds can be represented by MOOH where M is a metal selected from the group consisting of transition metals, rare earth metals, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A system (1) for portioning and packaging a tobamel smoking mixture (2) comprises a unit (3) internally of which the mixture (2) is prepared by blending tobacco en masse with agglutinants such as honey or molasses, and an extruder unit (17) by which the mixture (2) is shaped into a continuous rod (20).

Abstract: Tobacco dust which develops in a machine or production line for the making of smokers' products is put to use in that it is gathered and agglomerated into particles having or exceeding a required size. Metered quantities of such particles are admitted into a stream of fragmentized tobacco leaves before the stream is draped into a web of cigarette paper or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to the extrusion of filamentary strands of reconstituted tobacco through a die plate and the downstream handling thereof. The die plate is configured such that each filament is of a square or rectangular cross-section, the downstream handling of which effects draw down of the extruded filament.

Abstract: A low-density filler material for cigarettes from either a low-density tobacco composition or an extruded grain or starch composition. The low-density tobacco composition and a method of making the low-density tobacco composition by extruding a mixture of tobacco and flour or tobacco and starch under conditions whereby the solvent in the extruded mixture flashes into vapor upon release from the extrusion head. The low-density tobacco composition is formed without the aid of an added binder. The low-density flour or starch material and a method of making it by extruding flour or starch with a filler material such as calcium carbonate under conditions whereby the solvent in the extruded mixture flashes into vapor upon extrusion through the orifice die. The extruded composition can then be cut and used in place of cut tobacco filler.

Abstract: A tobacco flavor-tasting article is manufactured by preparing a heat-irreversibly coagulated glucan sheet containing a tobacco extract. The glucan sheet is prepared by preparing a sheet-like material from a high viscosity aqueous dispersion containing the extract obtained by an extraction treatment of a leaf tobacco, together with a heat-irreversibly coagulating glucan, and heating the sheet-like material to coagulate the glucan. This sheet is cut or pulverized to prepare a tobacco flavor-generating material. On the other hand, a tobacco flavor-adjusting material is prepared by preparing a sheet-like material from a leaf tobacco fibrous residue, which is the residue after the extraction, and cutting the sheet-like material. These tobacco flavor-generating material and tobacco flavor-adjusting material are used in combination to produce a cigarette-like article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a smoking article (1) having a high proportion of non-combustible, inorganic material and a relatively low level of visible sidestream. The smoking article includes a substantially non-combustible, wrapper (5) which extends along the full length of the smoking material rod and enwraps a combustible fuel source (6) and aerosol generator (7), both of which extend substantially along the length of the smoking material rod. Various suitable fuel source systems and aerosol generating systems are described. The article has a visible burn line which advances along the article and produces an ash which can be removed by the smoker in the normal way.

Abstract: A novel cigarette adapted for use in an electrical cigarette system comprising a tobacco rod having filled and unfilled tobacco rod portions and being arranged so that electrical heater elements may overlap the filled and unfilled tobacco rod portions. The tobacco rod includes a tobacco web rolled into tubular form. The tobacco web is constructed in accordance with a novel process comprising the steps of converting tobacco feedstock into a continuous sheet of tobacco web and converting the continuous sheet of tobacco web into one or more bobbins of tobacco web suitable for automated manufacture of cigarettes.

Abstract: A low-density filler material for cigarettes from either a low-density tobacco composition or an extruded grain or starch composition. The low-density tobacco composition and a method of making the low-density tobacco composition by extruding a mixture of tobacco and flour or tobacco and starch under conditions whereby the solvent in the extruded mixture flashes into vapor upon release from the extrusion head. The low-density tobacco composition is formed without the aid of an added binder. The low-density flour or starch material and a method of making it by extruding flour or starch with a filler material such as calcium carbonate under conditions whereby the solvent in the extruded mixture flashes into vapor upon extrusion through the orifice die. The extruded composition can then be cut and used in place of cut tobacco filler.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a tobacco product for smoking. In order to develop a novel tobacco product for smoking, the following method steps are proposed:a) a mixed mass of tobacco particles, starch or a starch-containing product as binder, and additives is produced;b) the mixed mass is compressed and plasticized in an extruder by the application of thermal and mechanical energy;c) pressurized steam is forced through the mixed mass so as to form channels;d) on leaving the extruder, the plasticized mixed mass, rendered porous by the channels, is expanded or foamed by the drop in temperature and pressure, hardened as a continuous, porous, cylindrical rod and cut to the desired lengths.

Abstract: In a process of tobacco reconstitution by extrusion a mixture of tobacco, starch and binder, with the addition of water, is extruded as a web. The extrudate is drawn down, whereby the thickness of the web is reduced. A minor proportion of the binder, which may be carboxymethyl cellulose, is fed to the extruder barrel in aqueous solution. This has the effect of increasing the tensile strength of the web, so that the web can be drawn down to a greater degree.

Abstract: In a method of making a smoking product a mixture comprising a particulate bulk material, tobacco for example, a binder, sugar, ammonia and an ammonium salt, preferably with the addition of water, is extruded to provide a coherent extrudate.

Abstract: Smokable and/or combustible tobacco material is provided by altering the character of tobacco material.Tobacco material is extracted using a solvent to provide a tobacco extract within the solvent and an extracted tobacco material. The extracted tobacco material is separated from at least a portion of the extract and solvent. The extracted tobacco material is subjected to pyrolysis conditions to provide a pyrolyzed material. The pyrolysis conditions can include a temperature of from about 300.degree. C. to about 1250.degree. C. and a non-oxidizing atmosphere.The pyrolyzed material can then be formed into a predetermined shape such as by extrusion, casting and the like.

Abstract: With the present invention a tobacco sheet or foil is proposed which has an elevated filling force and consists of tobacco particles, water, binders and moisturizers, and relatively gas-impermeable, in particular surface-sealed cover layers being connected together by a spongy structure which is formed by gas-filled bubbles, and in which cavities are formed having a shaggy, furrowed and/or torn surface.

Abstract: Smoking article rod is made by extruding a tobacco/binder mixture, with the addition of water, to provide a rod form extrudate, under conditions such that the extrudate is of a cross-section greater than that of the die orifice. The extrudate is drawn down by, for example, passing the extrudate about two driven and peripherally grooved draw down drums.

Abstract: Processed smokable materials are provided by forming a slurry of combustible material (e.g., a carbonaceous material) in an aqueous liquid. The slurry then is contacted with a foaming agent which includes a mixture of a surfactant and a polymeric film-forming agent. The slurry is agitated to provide a slurry of decreased density. The slurry so provided then is formed into the desired shape and dried. The processed smokable material which results is useful as cut filler for cigarette manufacture.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing extruded tobacco-containing materials as they are continuously extruded by applying a powdery material to the surface of the extrudate, optionally wiping the coated extruded material in order to smear or embed the powdery materials along and into the surface of the extruded material. The powdery material may be a flavorant or other additive materials modifying the characteristics of the extruded material. The invention is useful particularly for use in processing foamed, extruded materials into smoking articles which can be used with conventional cigarette maker equipment to produce large quantities of foamed, extruded tobacco-containing smoking articles having properties substantially equivalent to those of a conventional cigarette.

Abstract: A flavor source to be used as a thermally releasable flavorant for smoking articles that do not combust tobacco. The material includes tobacco particles, an aerosol precursor that forms an aerosol upon exposure to heat, and a filler material that absorbs and radiates heat to minimize the likelihood that the flavor material will ignite. The material is mixed in an extruder, extruded through a die, and cut into pellets having a substantially uniform shape. The pellets are loaded into a chamber for inclusion in a smoking article as a flavor generator.

Abstract: Tobacco is reconstituted to provide a product of tobacco-filler size particles. Particulate tobacco, from 5 to 10 weight percent of starch, up to 10 weight percent binder and water are fed to an extruder, the operating conditions being such that in the sheet form extrudate water flashes off to steam, thus to expand the extrudate. Further, the cross-section of the extrudate when exiting the orifice of the extruder expands to a cross-section greater than that of the orifice of the extruder. After being cooled, the extrudate is cut to particle size. The particles, each of which comprises a cellular interior and a skin at two opposite sides, can be used as or in cigarette filler.

Abstract: A shredded tobacco leaf pellet is composed of tobacco leaf shreds bound together with a nicotine-non-absorptive thermoplastic binder while retaining air permeability. The pellet is produced by mixing tobacco leaf shreds and a nicotine-non-absorptive thermoplastic binder, forming the resultant mixture into a desired shape while retaining air permeability, and then subjecting the thus-formed mixture to a heat treatment. A cigarette-like snuff is composed of at least one shredded tobacco leaf pellet of the above-described type and an outer envelope surrounding the pellet therein.

Abstract: Tobacco containing cigarette filter plugs comprise strands of tobacco material which are bound with an activated binding agent. The filter plugs exhibit good firmnless and integrity, and provide cigarettes exhibiting a unique tobacco taste. Filter plugs are prepared by forming an intimate admixture of tobacco material and binding agent, forming rods and activating the binding agent.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to densified particulate materials and to a process of preparing such materials.The present invention is also related to cigarette-type smoking articles utilizing the densified particulate materials of the present invention as an extender of the fuel and/or as a flavor enhancer.In cigarette-type smoking articles, the densified particulate material of the present invention may also serve as a substrate or carrier for an aerosol forming substance. The use of densified particulate tobacco, in whole or in part, as such a substrate affords many advantages heretofore unavailable in cigarette-type smoking articles.The use of the densified particulate materials of the present invention in conventional tobacco products, e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, and the like, affords advantages heretofore unavailable. Preferably, a mixture of densified carbon and densified tobacco is used, both as an extender/filler and as a flavor enhancer.

Abstract: Extruded smokable material is provided by extruding a moist mixture of divided tobacco and a binding agent which includes locust bean gum and xanthan gum. The mixture is subjected to temperatures about 80.degree. C. during extrusion such that this binding agent components are solubilized and the binding agent is activated. The adhesive character of the binding agent is believed to be provided by heat initiated inter polymer chain associations between the component binders. The tobacco material and binding agent mixture is extruded above the temperature at which the activated agent forms a gel. The extrudated is cooled and the binding agent forms a gel, resulting in a resilient smokable material.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for processing hot, moist extruded tobacco-containing materials as they are continuously extruded by drying the extruded material rapidly with microwave energy, and then cooling the extruded material rapidly so that the surface temperature of the extruded material is decreased below the bulk temperature to provide the extruded material with an adequately rigid and stable dimensionally structure that can be formed into a smoking article. Microwave drying provides substantially uniform drying without case hardening the material. Cooling may occur by passing air at high velocity, refrigerated air or presenting a partial vacuum across the advancing extruded material, or contacting the material with cold contacting members or a cryogenic bath. Conventional maker devices can be used for forming smoking articles from the dried and cooled extruded material.

Abstract: Tobacco is reconstituted to provide a product of tobacco-filler size particles. Particulate tobacco, starch, binder and water are fed to an extruder, the operating conditions being such that in the sheet form extrudate water flashes off to steam, thus to expand the extrudate. While in the plastic phase, the extrudate is subjected to a draw down step. The extrudate is then cut to particle size.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing wrinkled sheet tobacco by wetting a raw material powder containing tobacco with water, extruding the resultant wet powder through a gap between a pair of rollers, and separating sheet tobacco attached to the surface of one roller with a doctor knife, one of the substances selected from those enumerated below is added to the raw material powder in an amount specified below: (1) 4 to 10% by weight of an .alpha.-starch or propylene glycol alginate ester, (2) 4 to 11% by weight of a hydrolyzed starch having a molecular weight of 100,000 to 900,000, gum arabic, a carboxymethyl cellulose salt having a molecular weight of 10,000 to 20,000, or a high methoxyl pectin having a degree of methoxylation of 7 to 17% and a degree of esterification of 62 to 77%, and (3) a mixture of 1.9 to 7.9% by weight of a 4,4,6-triglucosaccharide polymer and 1.3 to 3.2% by weight of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

Abstract: Co-extruded smokable material in sheet-like form has a multi-layered structure. The layers are generally parallel to the major surface of the material. The material is provided by subjecting at least two filler materials to high shear agitation and co-extruding the materials while in a semi-soft state. The multi-layered material can be sized by roll treatment in order to provide a sheet-like material having a thickness of less than about 0.008 inch. In particular, the co-extruded multi-layered smokable material is subjected to compressive treatment applied perpendicularly to the major surface of the co-extruded marterial to provide a co-extruded smokable material of reduced thickness. The material so provided can be cut into small sheets (e.g., about 4 inches by 4 inches square) or into strands and employed as cut filler in the manufacture of cigarettes.

Abstract: Tobacco material can be processed to yield a product (e.g., sheet-like material) which can be used to yield cut filler for the manufacture of cigarettes. Tobacco material (e.g., whole leaf and/or scrap) is shear agitated in the presence of moisture of less than 30 weight percent. The shear agitation is performed in the absence of externally added binding agents. The sheared mixture is passed through a roller system in order to provide compressive treatment to the mixture. The processed mixture is further formed into the desired shape. Tobacco material can be provided using energy efficient processing steps, and without waste of tobacco material.

Abstract: Tobacco extender material is provided in sheet-like form by contacting tobacco material and/or carbonized material in substantially dry form with a binding agent in substantially dry form, and then subjecting the mixture to a high rate of shear agitation in the presence of a relatively low moisture content. The level of moisture is sufficient to provide activation of the binding agent. The material so processed is further processed using dry forming techniques in order to provide sheets of reconstituted tobacco material and sheets of carbonized material. The sheets of tobacco extender can be cut to the desired size and is useful in the manufacture of cigarettes.

Abstract: Tobacco extender material is provided in strand form by contacting tobacco material and/or carbonized material in substantially dry form with a binding agent in substantially dry form, and then subjecting the mixture to a high rate of shear agitation in the presence of a relatively low moisture content. The material so processed is further processed using dry forming techniques in order to provide strands of reconstituted tobacco material and strands of carbonized material. The strands of tobacco extender are useful in the manufacture of cigarettes.

Abstract: Whole leaf tobacco can be processed to yield a sheet-like product which can be used to cut filler for the manufacture of cigarettes. Whole leaf tobacco including stem is shredded and contacted with a binding agent in dry form. The essentially dry mixture is shear agitated in the presence of moisture less than about 30 percent, based on the total weight of moisture, binding agent and tobacco. The divided tobacco is subjected to the high shear agitation in the presence of sufficient moisture to provide for activation of the binding agent. The sheared mixture is passed through a roller system to provide compressive treatment to the mixture. The processed mixture is further formed into a sheet-like shape. Tobacco material can be provided using low amounts of binding agent, using energy efficient processing steps, and without waste of tobacco material.

Abstract: An extruded, coherent, multistrand, tobacco-containing, generally cylindrical smoking article and a process for making it are disclosed. The smoking article contains a plurality of strands that are adhered to one another so as to form passageways between the strands, the passageways extending generally along the longitude of the smoking article. The configuration of the strands and passageways provides sufficient heat transfer area and/or residence time for the smoke drawn by a smoker to cool to an acceptable level.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical foamed, extruded, tobacco-containing smoking article and a method of making the article. The article has properties substantially equivalent to a conventional cigarette. It contains from about 5 to about 98 wt. % of particulate tobacco, from 0 to about 60 wt. % of particulate filler, from about 2 to about 40 wt. % of a cellulosic binder selected from among hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose, and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof, and from about 5 to about 20 wt. % of water. The article has a density within the range of from about 0.05 to about 1.5 g/cc. The method of making such articles comprises the step of (a) dry blending the tobacco particles having an OV value of from about 3 to about 20% with from 0 to about 60 wt.

Abstract: For the production of crimped fibre pieces from reconstituted tobacco a mixture of tobacco dust and/or tobacco waste, binders and possibly additives is extruded by a special die or nozzle head to filiform intermediate products with preferably rectangular to slightly lenticular cross-section which immediately after leaving the die head can be cut to give crimped fibre pieces. For forming this crimping no further operation is necessary.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical foamed, extruded, tobacco-containing smoking article is provided which has properties substantially equivalent to those of a conventional cigarette and which contains from about 5 to about 98 wt. % of tobacco particles having a particle size of up to about 5 mesh, from 0 to about 60 wt. % of a filler having a particle size of up to about 350 .mu.m mesh, from about 2 to about 40 wt. % of a cellulosic binder selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose, and its sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof, and from about 5 to about 20 wt. % water. The article has a density within the range of from about 0.05 to about 1.5 g/cc.

Abstract: Smoking articles comprising a high density, relatively low porosity coherent mass of combustible tobacco-containing material having at least one passage extending therethrough are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the smoking article is a cylinder having at least one passage axially therethrough. The smoking article may further comprise a plug of ignitable material in passage blocking position at one end of the passage, said plug being such as to permit puff induced air flow therethrough. At least one additional plug may be similarly disposed at the opposite end of the passage or at an intermediate point in the passage. By adjusting the density, the surface area and/or the porosity of the mass available for combustion, the per puff delivery of tar by the smoking article upon combustion may be controlled.

Abstract: A method of forming sheet from reconstituted tobacco involves the formation of a high solids content slurry of which the particle size is less than 60 B.S. mesh. The slurry is then extruded through a single pair of rollers onto a wire mesh conveyor, or onto a continuous casting band which is itself supported by one of the rollers. The high solids content reduces the energy costs in drying the extruded sheet and the use of a single pair of rollers reduced the costs of the machinery.