GB570265A - Improvements in or relating to the preparation of material in sheet, web or filamentform from tobacco - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of preparing tobacco in sheet, web or filament form comprises forming an intimate mixture, slurry or suspension of the tobacco in finely-divided condition in water as described in Specification 562,786, subjecting the mixture to heat or to heat and pressure for a predetermined period, and then subjecting the mixture to sheet, web or filament forming operations. The tobacco used may be in the form of whole leaves, fragments, stems, &c. or the waste from the manufacture of cigars, cigarettes, &c. It is reduced by dry or wet grinding, or both, to colloidal size or to a fine powder, e.g. in a ball mill, and mixed with water &c. to form a mixture, slurry or suspension. Fibrous particles may be filtered out or retained in the mixture, which is subjected to heat at atmospheric or higher pressure, e.g. in an autoclave or other closed container, for a period sufficient to hydrate or to accelerate the hydration and swelling of the particles to form a hydrosol. The product is preferably cooled and is formed into sheets, webs or filaments, e.g. by pouring or spraying on sheet or film-forming surfaces such as iron, steel or chromium-plated plates or endless bands, by extrusion, or by applying on the inner surface of a rotating cylinder by centrifugal action. The resulting sheet, film, &c. is dried in a somewhat humid atmosphere. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 refers to the use of vegetable material other than tobacco, to liquid media other than water and to peptizing agents. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.ALSO:A method of preparing tobacco in sheet, web or filament form comprises forming an intimate mixture, slurry or suspension of the tobacco in finely divided condition in water as described in Specification 562,786, subjecting the mixture to heat or to heat and pressure for a predetermined period, and then subjecting the mixture to sheet, web or filament forming operations. The tobacco used may be in the form of whole leaves, fragments, stems, &c., or the waste from the manufacture of cigars, cigarettes, &c. It is reduced by dry or wet grinding, or both to colloidal size or to a fine powder, e.g., in a ball mill, and mixed with water, &c., to form a mixture, slurry or suspension. Fibrous particles may be filtered out or retained in the mixture, which is subjected to heat and atmospheric or higher pressure, e.g., in an autoclave or other closed container, for a period sufficient to hydrate or to accelerate the hydration and swelling of the particles to form a hydrosol. The product is preferably cooled and is formed into sheets, webs or filaments, e.g., by pouring or spraying on steel or film forming surfaces such as iron, steel or chromium-plated plates or endless bands, by extrusion, or by applying on the inner surface of a rotating cylinder by centrifugal action. The resulting sheet, film, &c., is dried in a somewhat humid atmosphere. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 refers to the use of vegetable material other than tobacco, and to liquid media other than water and to peptizing agents. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.