NL8102299A - SMOKING ARTICLES AND METHOD FOR MAKING THEREOF. - Google Patents

Description

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Smoking articles and method for making them.

The invention relates to smoking articles, in particular smoking articles with characteristic physical properties, as well as to a method for making smoking articles, so that such properties can be adjusted, whereby the combustion behavior thereof is regulated such that during smoking a reduced tar release is reached.

The amount of combustion products which is formed by a burning bed of combustible material, such as tobacco or smoke-forming materials other than tobacco, depends primarily on certain physical properties of the burning material. The physical properties, which influence the amount of combustion products, are the surface area of the material available for combustion, the density and porosity of the material, the volume air available for combustion, the speed at which air is made available for combustion. , the temperature at which the material burns and the composition of the combustible material.

A main cause of the tar production during combustion in a conventional smoking article, such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe, the pyrolysis. Pyrolysis can be defined as the thermal development of tars and gases by the heat generated by the combustion of a carbonaceous glowing fraction. Since the pyrolysis transfers the smokable material to its carbonaceous backbone, the carbonaceous residue in turn burns and provides heat for the further pyrolysis of fresh material located near the combustion material.

Smokable materials used in conventional smoking articles are generally in the form of cut tobacco leaf strips, cut into strips 81 02 29 9 reconstituted tobacco sheets, tobacco stems, and combinations thereof, with the result that such materials provide a fairly large area for pyrolysis.

In addition, when smoking a conventional smoking article, the gases are heated, which are sucked through the glowing fraction by a "pull". The heated gases flow through the unburnt tobacco close to the incandescent fraction, again causing pyrolysis. Thus, in the conventional products pyrolysis occurs not only due to the conductive and radiant heat of the incandescent fraction, but also as a result of the heat transferred by such heated gases to the unburnt tobacco in the vicinity of the incandescent fraction.

The invention now provides tobacco-containing smoking articles in which the combustion and pyrolysis processes are controlled by adjusting the properties, such as porosity, surface and density of the tobacco-containing mass. By controlling the pyrolysis and combustion processes in this way, the accompanying phenomenon also is a control of the gas phase and tar. delivery by the articles according to the invention.

In addition, in the conventional smoking articles of the above type, "significant heat dissipation occurs in the areas immediately adjacent to the glowing fraction, thereby lowering the temperature of the combustion gases as they pass through the smoking article to a value which does not longer may be used to effect a thermal release of aromatics away from the glowing fraction 30. It has been observed that such heat reduction is considerably less for the articles of the invention, allowing a thermal release of aromatics is becoming.

The invention now provides tobacco-containing smoking articles, wherein the tar delivery during combustion is controlled by adjusting the density, porosity, specific surface area and / or composition of the article. The smoking articles consist of a coherent '81 02 29 9? <-3- mass of flammable tobacco material, having at least one through-passage extending from the first opening in the surface of the mass to a second opening remote from the first opening, the mass of tobacco having such density and porosity, that a gas flow is thereby substantially blocked, which porosity, on the other hand, is sufficient to maintain the combustion of the mass after ignition.

In making such articles, a combustible tobacco material in the form of particles is mixed with one or more other ingredients, including a liquid, and the mixture is subjected to further treatment to provide a formed cohesive mass with a present therein continuous 15 passage. The molding takes place by applying pressure to the mixture to form a cohesive mass, after which the formed mass is dried.

The articles can be formed by extrusion of a homogeneous mixture of tobacco material containing both water and a volatile organic liquid compatible with the tobacco, which mixture has a solids content of 55-75% by weight, which is followed by drying the obtained extrusion product. For extrusion, the mixture contains crushed tobacco with a particle size greater than about 0.5 mm. Particles other than tobacco acting as filler, as well as combustion additives and / or flavoring agents, can be included in the tobacco mass.

According to a further aspect of the invention, improved properties are achieved by further treating the dried cohesive mass, which further treatment comprises re-wetting the mass and then subsequent drying.

In a preferred embodiment, the smoking article according to the invention has a passage extending axially through a mass of cylindrical shape, with particular preference being 8102299% * -4- that the cross-sectional area of the passage is greater than that of the mass. In addition, it is preferred that an easily ignitable, air-permeable location is provided in a passage blocking location at at least one end of the passage. A further plug or plugs of the same or different material may be included at least at the discharge end and may optionally contain flavoring agents which are thermally released.

When used in combination with the preferred extrusion process, it is preferred that the ignitable plug be extruded simultaneously with the cohesive mass.

The invention is described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a smoking article according to the invention having a conventional filter connected thereto by means of a nozzle paper; Figure 1b shows an end view of the smoking article shown in Figure 1;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of a similar smoking article as shown in Figure 1 having a plug at both the nozzle end and the ignition end 25 of the article;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention in the form of a cigar-like smoking article having thickened walls and having a mouthpiece; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment in the form of a smoking article, which consists of a preformed product of smokable material with a number of channels through it and which is arranged in the head of a pipe? Figure 5 shows a similar smoking article as shown in Figure 4, the entire head of the pipe consisting of preformed combustible material;

Figure 6 shows a factory diagram of the steps 8102299 4-5 used in the manufacture of a smoking article according to a particular embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 shows a schematic view of an extruder for performing an extrusion stage according to a particular embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 8 shows an extrusion head for use with the extruder of Figure 7.

According to the invention, tobacco-containing smoking articles are provided, which are made from a cohesive mass with at least one through opening therethrough. The release of tar and gas phase components is controlled by adjusting the density, specific surface area and porosity of the combustion portion 15 of the mass. By reducing the specific surface area and the porosity of the mass available for combustion and at the same time increasing its density, it is possible to limit the tar release by the smoking articles according to the invention to a minimum.

More specifically, the smoking articles according to the invention can be made from a cohesive mass of combustible tobacco-containing material, in which the specific surface area of the mass available for tar formation can be considerably smaller than the specific surface area of a conventional smoking article, such as today is applied. Moreover, the density of the mass in the smoking article according to the invention can be considerably greater than is generally found in the usual smoking articles, while the porosity of the mass is considerably smaller. The smoking article thus formed has a significantly reduced tar and gas phase release compared to conventional smoking articles.

By reducing the porosity and specific surface area and increasing the density of the material to be burned, the smoking articles according to the invention develop a reduced amount of pyrolysis products per "puff". Since the density, porosity and geometry of the smoking articles according to the invention determine the volume of the air and the velocity with which the air is sucked along and through a burning fraction during a "puff", and the access of the heated gases to the Obstruction of unburned tobacco material is possible to control the pyrolysis and combustion processes in the smoking articles according to the invention. Furthermore, the temperature of the air passing through the passage of the smoking articles according to the invention can be kept at a sufficiently high value to cause a thermal release of aromatizing agents beyond the burning fraction, so that a release of completely flavored smoke with a low tar content becomes possible. The smoking articles according to the invention are thus advantageous, because the shape, density and porosity of the mass will reduce the naturally occurring tar release, as would occur without the addition of chemicals, which alter combustion but in certain cases the subject-matter · adversely affect the quality of the tobacco, although they permit the distillation of flavoring agents.

In the practice of the invention, a combustible tobacco-containing material is formed into a cohesive mass having at least one passage extending from a first opening in the surface of the mass to a second opening spaced from the first opening located. Both the density and the porosity of the formed mass are such that an air flow induced by a "puff" through the smoking article preferably takes place through the passage, ie the density and porosity of the mass are such that the gas flow longitudinally substantially suppressed by the mass as such. However, the porosity must be sufficient to sustain combustion, preferably sufficient to maintain static combustion which is not "puffed".

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mass is formed into a cylinder having at least one axial passage therethrough. This passage makes it possible to smoke the dense smokable material with "puffs", helps control the volume and velocity of the air passing through the glowing fraction, decreases the volume of the glowing fraction and serves as an air duct, through which the smoke generated during combustion is diluted with air when it is drawn in through a smoker, avoiding the need for highly diluted, ventilated filters, which are commonly used in conventional low-release smoking articles.

The tobacco-containing material used to form the cohesive mass may consist of good quality, highly flavored tobacco, such as light, Burley, Oriental tobacco or mixtures thereof, preferably in crushed form. Other tobacco materials, such as reconstituted tobaccos and pre-pyrolysed tobacco, can be used as the tobacco-containing materials or a portion thereof.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the smoking article is made in the form of a hollow cylinder. It is particularly preferred that the wall thickness of the cohesive mass is such that the cross-sectional area of the mass is smaller than the corresponding cross-sectional area of the passage. With such a smoking article it is desirable to include at least one plug which is applied in such a way that the passage is blocked. The plug may be placed at the end or ends of the smoking article and / or may be placed at intermediate locations in the passage. Such plugs may serve either to assist ignition or as baffles to prevent sudden heating of the tube due to aspiration upon ignition or in the event of re-ignition. In addition, one or more of the plugs may contain flavoring agents. The material of the prop must be air permeable 8102299 '** · Α. . · -8- and at least one end thereof should be easily ignitable. The plugs preferably consist of crushed tobacco material, which is prepared in the same way as the cohesive mass.

The addition of flavoring substances to the plugs (or their incorporation into the cohesive mass) may take place during the preparation of either the tobacco-containing material or the material of the plugs or both. Conventional tobacco flavors can be included at any processing stage, although this can generally be conveniently done during mixing. At present, tobacco extracts can also be included as part of the liquid ingredient. Burley tobacco extracts prepared according to the method described in the

U.S. Patents 4,131,117 and 4,131,118 may be used. Other tobacco extracts or suspensions prepared by the methods of releasing pectin binder material contained therein may also be used in a similar manner as part of the liquid ingredients in the manufacture of the smoking articles. A description of methods for releasing the natural tobacco pectins can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,353,541 and 3,420,421.

The smoking articles according to the invention do not require an external casing of the type used in the manufacture of conventional cigarettes. It will be understood, however, that an outer casing 30 of cigarette paper and the like, such as a coating material, or pigments incorporated directly into the smoking article may be used to achieve a desired appearance.

According to the process aspects of the invention, the tobacco articles are formed by first mixing an amount of tobacco-containing material with water and with a volatile organic liquid to form a tobacco mixture, which is suitable for further processing, that is to say forming 8102299-9. into a formed mass in one of a number of discrete forms. Generally, tobacco materials to be blended together will have a moisture content of about 5-15% OV and preferably 10% OV. The term OV (volatiles when treated in the oven) as used herein denotes the moisture content of tobacco as determined as the content of volatiles in the oven. The OV is determined by placing a weighed tobacco sample in a forced air oven and holding the sample in the oven at a temperature of 100 ° C for a period of 3 hours, after which the sample is weighed again. The difference between the two weight values, expressed as the percentage of the initial weight, is defined as OV.

Before mixing, the tobacco can be crushed to a desired particle size. Conventional devices, such as a ball mill, a plate or disc type coloid mill, or a shear mixer, can be used for grinding. The time required to perform this will, of course, depend on the initial size of the tobacco components to be crushed and to some extent on the type of tobacco used as well as the moisture content thereof.

The mixing of the tobacco with the liquid ingredients can be carried out in conventional equipment.

For example, conventional Hobart mixers provided with flat agitator blades or "impact agitator blades, belt mixers, and the like, or some other mixers, which will achieve homogenization or even distribution of the liquid over the tobacco.

In the mixing treatment, the addition of the liquid components to the tobacco particles can take place simultaneously or the water can be added first, followed by addition of the volatile component. Mixing generally takes place at room temperature and is generally carried out in a sealed vessel to prevent premature evaporation of the organic liquid. The time necessary to complete an 81 02 29 9 4. w *. m to achieve uniform distribution of the liquid and the tobacco particles is highly dependent on the combination of particle size and type of liquid used. In general, 15 minutes to several hours are sufficient to achieve the desired distribution of the liquid.

While it is usually desirable to prepare such a mixture using both water and a volatile organic liquid to control the porosity and density of the cohesive mass, it is also possible to use only water in the preparation of the mixture, in particular especially in cases where the shaping of the mixture takes place by extrusion under conditions which can be varied sufficiently to achieve the desired results.

One of the drawbacks is even then that the use of only a sufficient amount of water tends to give rise to a density of the mass obtained which is too high for practical purposes. However, as further noted in detail, a renewed wetting and drying after shaping the cohesive mass can usually be used to control the final porosity as long as the starting mixture can be extruded or to other and acceptable a desired shape can be given. The farcical organic liquid of the mixture serves to improve the density and porosity properties of the finished smoking articles, possibly due to a rapid evaporation during drying. The organic liquids that can be used are preferably liquids with a higher vapor pressure than water and include only liquids that are compatible with tobacco products. For the purpose of the present invention, liquids are compatible with tobacco if they do not substantially react with tobacco ingredients and, moreover, they will mix sufficiently with the tobacco material to prevent its separation during the shaping of the tobacco article. Furthermore, it is preferred to use liquids which, after mixing, do not adversely affect the aromatic or subjective properties of the tobacco products during smoking. Preferred liquids include those which can be easily removed by evaporation under relatively non-drastic heating or drying conditions and which do not leave a significant residue after evaporation. Suitable organic liquids include straight or branched chain hydrocarbons with about 5-8 carbon atoms, such as the 10 pentanes, ™ hexanes and heptanes. Straight or branched chain alcohols having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol and the like, are also suitable for use. In addition, the "Freon" liquids, such as trichloronofluoromethane 15 and dichlorodichloromethane, can be used Certain ketones, for example methyl ethyl ketone, ethers, halohydrocarbons and the like may be used in some cases. The chosen liquid may be used as such, while in in some cases a combination of two or more liquids may be used depending on the type of smoking article to be prepared.

The ratio of the total amount of water in the mixture to the volatile organic liquid will depend to some extent on the type and particle size of the tobacco and the specific organic liquid used, but will generally be within a mixing ratio of water to organic liquid from about 6: 1 to about 1: 1. When tobacco having a particle size passing through a 0.25 mm sieve is used according to the method described below, which is preferred for imparting shape, a ratio of about two parts water per one is preferred. part organic liquid is preferred.

It may also be desirable to add filler materials to the aqueous tobacco mixture. As filler materials, calcium carbonate, certain carbon materials, diatomaceous earth, attapulgite and the like can be mentioned. The solid components in the mixture may consist of up to 40-50% of such traps without the addition of binders being required. If desired, combustion additives can be added to the mixture to adjust the combustion properties.

While it is preferable to avoid the addition of foreign binder and instead rely on the natural binder teeth of the tobacco to achieve minimal tar release upon smoking, it will be appreciated that the mechanical strength of such smoking articles can be increased by using additional binder materials provided that it is compatible with the intended objectives of the tar release of a particular product.

After all desired ingredients have been added and a homogeneous mixture has been obtained, the mixture prepared in this way is ready for further processing into smoking articles which it is desired to prepare. In this further processing, the tobacco mixture is brought into the form of a shaped article, which consists of a cohesive tobacco mass, the density and porosity of which are sufficient to exclude a gas flow therethrough and the density of which is sufficient to allow the combustion of the maintain mass after ignition. The tobacco mass is further provided with at least one passage thereby extending from a first opening on the surface of the mass to a second opening spaced from the first opening. The provision of such a passageway as used implies that it is provided during shaping or during subsequent treatments or during both shaping and the like subsequent treatment.

According to the invention, the shaping operation for the smoking article comprises a compression treatment of the mixture to form this mixture into a cohesive or self-supporting tobacco mass and subsequent mass drying. The compression treatment will generally involve the application of pressure to the tobacco mixture in a confined space and preferably give rise to a cohesive mass with the desired continuous passage. According to an alternative method, the mass can be brought into the desired shape without the passage and the passage can be formed after the treatment under pressure or, after the drying, a passage can be made by a material-removing operation, such as drilling.

The pressure treatment may be carried out by any one of a number of conventional techniques, which are adapted in such a way that a sufficient pressure is applied to the tobacco mixture to release the natural binder materials from the tobacco material to obtain a cohesive mass. Thus, the operation to impart the desired shape under pressure makes it possible to form self-supporting articles without the need to add foreign binders to the tobacco mixture.

Although the treatments, such as molding presses, can be used to practice the invention, extrusion is the preferred processing technique.

In general, the extrusion conditions will depend on the type of extruder used (plunger, worm, etc.), the particular composition of the tobacco mixture and the desired shape and density and porosity properties of the obtained extrusion product.

Conventional screw extruders or plunger extruders, which achieve relatively high pressures, can be used, the extrusion heads 30 of these extruders preferably having the desired shape of the smoking articles to be made. These extrusion machines can be operated under selected pressures and with a selected cooling of one or more zones of the extrusion cylinder to favor the manufacture of the desired extrusion product. An extrusion machine, which has proved to be suitable, is a Wayne extrusion machine for plastic materials, which is equipped with a 1: 1 worm and whose rotation speed can be varied from 1 to 120 rpm.

8102299 -14-

Such an extruder, thanks to its lil worm, exerts minimal labor on the tobacco mixture, while providing sufficient pressure to release the natural binders of tobacco and give rise to a cohesive product. In screw extruders of this type, pressures on the extrusion product at the end of the extrusion cylinder (i.e., melt pressures) of up to 175 kg / cm are suitable, while pressures up to 85 kg / cm are preferred. Temperatures of the extrusion product at the end of such a cylinder (ie, melting temperature) of less than about 40 ° C are also useful and can be developed by varying the temperature of the hot cylinder within the range of about 20-25 ° C. to keep.

Preferred conditions of the tobacco mixture for the extrusion are such a particle size of the tobacco that it passes a 0.6 mm mesh sieve, and a sufficient tobacco content to prepare a mixture of a solid content Within the range of about 55-75 wt% and preferably about 60-70 wt%.

As noted above, the shape of the desired smoking article determines the construction of the extruder head. The smoking articles are preferably in the form of a hollow cylinder and more particularly of cylindrical tubes with a wall thickness such that the cross-sectional area of the mass. is less than the corresponding cross-sectional area of the passage. Thus, to obtain this construction 30, extrusion heads are used, which have suitably adapted annular extrusion opening. One particular extrusion machine for making hollow cylinders is the aforementioned Wayne extrusion machine. Thus, for example, thin-walled tobacco tubes of high density and low porosity, which burn at temperatures of the glowing fraction within the range of 585-785 ° C, can be made with suitably modified extruders of this type. In addition, when such extruders are used, it is common practice to direct an air flow into the interior portion of the formed tube to prevent its collapse.

The printing treatment for forming the smoking articles may include a cutting or separating treatment, which results in the formation of separate cohesive masses corresponding to the separate smoking articles. Such a treatment is necessary if the pressure treatment as such is not based on 10 separate smoking articles. In the case of the preferred extrusion technique described above, wherein the extrusion product is, in particular, one cohesive endless mass leaving the extrusion die, it is desirable to perform a cutting operation at the discharge end of the die, thereby creating separate units are formed with a length corresponding to the length of the desired smoking articles. Since articles of a predetermined length are desired, the cutting operation is synchronized with the discharge rate of the extrusion product to provide the required length.

The above-mentioned operation to provide individual units can also be carried out after the drying of the extrusion product, if the cutting of the dried extrusion product proves more acceptable in practice.

The drying of the cohesive mass formed under pressure can be carried out either by simple evaporation under the ambient conditions, for example at room temperature, or by supplying heat. At a room temperature of about 21-24 ° C, the drying times will usually vary from about J2-24 hours. The supply of heat can take place at a temperature of about 100 ° C. This can be done using a conventional heating device, such as a 35 Freas oven (forced air circulation oven) over a period of about 15 minutes to 1 hour. Heating can also be carried out more quickly by exposure to microwaves, in which case the exposure will depend on the applied power. At about 150 W power, drying times of about 2 minutes are found to be acceptable. Such rapid drying can be used to promote the static combustion properties of the smoked article obtained.

After the drying treatment, the dried articles can be further processed, for example, by providing the articles with suitable nozzles, which may or may not include filters for obtaining the finished construction of the smoking article.

While the smoking process of the invention, as described above, has been found to provide suitable smoking articles, a further aspect of the invention relates to a further treatment of the pressurized cohesive mass after its initial drying treatment. Such further treatment makes it possible to change the porosity of the dried mass, thereby achieving improved combustion properties of the resulting smoking article.

This further treatment includes re-wetting the dried mass and subsequent subsequent drying.

*

Re-wetting can be done by spraying or immersing the dried mass. Appropriate rewetting has been performed by immersing the mass in a bath of a liquid, preferably water, for a sufficient period of time to achieve the desired change in porosity. In general, the conditions for rewetting will depend on the initial porosity, the particle size of the tobacco and the type of organic liquid used. Suitable conditions for re-wetting to achieve the desired porosity changes can be determined by experiment. Subsequent re-drying after re-wetting is preferably performed following the initial drying method described above.

In a further aspect of the method of the invention, the method is further modified by allowing the application of an easily ignitable, air-permeable plug in the continuous passage of the submerged mass formed. Other plugs can be placed in one or more places along passage 5 in such a way that they block the passage. In a preferred embodiment of the invention in which smoking articles are formed in the form of a cylindrical tube, it is desirable to provide such plugs at the opposite ends 10 of the tubular passage.

Usually only one or two of such plugs will be necessary, especially at one end for lighting the smoking article. The typical embodiments therefore have a hollow passage, which is largely free. It will be understood, however, that such a passage may be wholly or partially filled with a harmless filler material, which is either non-flammable or does not contribute excessively to the formation of tar upon smoking.

The material of the plug may be in various shapes and may contain flavoring substances which can be released upon heating. The plug material preferably consists of crushed tobacco, which is prepared in the same manner as the cohesive mass from which the smoking article is formed. The plugs can therefore be formed in an analogous manner as described above to make the cohesive mass, modifying the pressure treatment to the extent necessary to make plugs of the desired configuration suitable to form into the cohesive mass. are incorporated in a manner which blocks passage. The air permeability of the plugs can be achieved either by the inherent porosity of the plug material or through openings that are made in the plug during or after the plug is formed.

Although the plugs can be formed independently of the cohesive mass and later in the mass during molding or after drying thereof 81 02 2 9 9> *. It is preferred that the plugs are formed and arranged in the bulk passage simultaneously with the formation of the mass. According to a further preferred embodiment, this is achieved according to a preferred extrusion method by co-extrusion of the plug with the mass on an appropriate time basis, so that plugs of the desired size at the desired locations, where they block the passage and are made in intimate contact with the inner wall of the mass.

After the general description of the invention, preferred embodiments will now be described.

The smoking article according to the invention can. can be made into various shapes, in particular shapes, which can be extruded easily, although other methods of forming the articles can also be used for this purpose. As shown in Figure 1, the smoking article 10 consists of an elongated cohesive mass 9, which in this embodiment is in the form of a tubular rod with a continuous passage 2 extending from one end to the other end thereof. Although the tubular mass 9 itself and as such serves as a smoking article, it is possible (see figure 2) to fit a filter 3 at the smoke end and to connect this to the mass 9 in the usual manner with the aid of nozzle paper 4 As can be seen from Figure 1b, the passage 2 and the mass 9 have a circular shape, however it will be clear that another geometry can also be used in cross-section, for example a hexagonal, etc. The mass 9 can be generally in terms of length and girth corresponding to the length and girth of the tobacco cylinders of a cigarette of conventional size. Depending on the special delivery properties that will be achieved with the smoking article upon smoking it, the cross-sectional area of the mass relative to the passage will be varied.

8102299 -19-

The smoking article 15 shown in figure 2 is provided at the ignition end with a plug 5 of air-permeable flammable material, which blocks the passage. In addition to acting as an ignition device, the plug 5 also serves to prevent sudden heating through the passage when the smoking article is lit. Further plugs, for example the plug 6, which is shown next to the filter relay 3, can be arranged and can serve to incorporate aromatizing substances in the smoking article. If desired, plugs may also be included at one or more locations between the ends of the smoking article, which serve either as carriers for flavoring agents or as inflammatory agents or as both.

According to the invention, the smoking article can be brought into the usual shapes of other types of smoking articles, for instance in the shape and approximately with the dimensions of a cigar 16, as shown in figure 3. With such a smoking article 16, the walls 7 of the Tubular mass has a greater thickness relative to the size of the smoking article and compared to the smoking article shown in Figure 2. The smoking article may, in addition to ignition and aroma plugs 5 and 6, be provided with a mouthpiece 17, which in turn can serve as such to provide flavoring substance-emitting elements or filter members 8.

Figures 4 and 5 show the manner of providing a smoking article either for use in a conventional pipe or as such as a pipe-shaped component. The smoking article 30 shown in figure 4 has been brought in the form of a relatively truncated mass 19, which has been given the shape and size to be received in the head of a pipe 18, which mass is provided with one or more continuous passages 2, which extend from the top to the bottom thereof.

Figure 5 shows the manner in which a cohesive mass 20 is shaped in the form of a pipe head and, like the mass of Figure 4, has one or more passages 2 and is furthermore shown for a side opening for 81 02 29 9% r -20, as indicated at 21 for mounting a pipe stem 28 with a filter 40, as is also provided with pipe 18.

Figure 6 schematically shows a preferred embodiment 5 of the invention in which tobacco is crushed, mixed with water and a volatile organic liquid and then subjected to a pressure treatment, preferably an extrusion, to form a cohesive mass of tobacco. The tobacco mass is dried at room temperature or by adding heat. Further treatment of the cohesive tobacco mass to change its porosity is achieved by renewed wetting followed by a drying step.

Figure 7 schematically shows an extruder for performing the above-mentioned e-extrusion of a tubular cohesive mass and plugs according to the method of the invention, the construction of which. the extrusion head is shown in more detail in Figure 8. As shown in Figure 7, a tobacco-20 mixture, as described above to form the cohesive mass or body of the smoking article, is fed to an automatic hopper 71. The hopper 71 applies a continuous force to the tobacco mixture through a rotating blade, which extends into a material feed port of a worm extruder 72 and is driven by a drive 73. The tobacco mixture is forcibly fed to the extruder 72 and the extruder formed in the extruder is pressed into a common extruder 74, 30 in which it is formed into a tubular cohesive mass 100 at the discharge end of the extrusion head. Likewise. air is supplied to the extrusion head 74 from a source 75, which air is introduced through a conduit 76 at the discharge end of the extrusion head into the interior of the tubular mass 100 to prevent its collapse when the mass is formed.

Plug material of the same composition as the material of the mass is fed to a hopper 81 of the same construction as the construction of hopper 71. The plug material is fed through the hopper 81 to a worm extruder 82 to form of plugs, which is driven by means of a drive 83. The extrusion product passes from the extruder 83 through a valve 84 to the common extrusion head 74, where it becomes available to the interior of and is connected to the inner wall of the tubular mass 100.

With the aid of a synchronizing circuit 91 for the control, a control is effected of the pressure continuously applied to the plug-shaped extrusion product at the supply to the head 74. This control is synchronized with the formation of the tube 100. The circuit 91 keeps the valve 84 closed and the actuator 83 shut off for a predetermined period corresponding to the delivery of a preselected length of the tube. After this period of time, valve 84 is opened and actuator 83 is restarted, applying pressure to the plug extruded product, resulting in the joint release of the plug and tube. This condition lasts for a two predetermined period, corresponding to the co-delivery of a predetermined length of the tube and plug, after which the valve is closed again and the actuator 83 is stopped again. Repeated control of the valve 84 and the actuator 83 results in the tube 100 being extruded continuously. Plugs 101 of predetermined length and predetermined locations are formed therein which block passage therein.

The synchronizing circuit 91 also controls the direction of rotation of the blades of the hoppers 81 and 71. This direction is periodically changed by the circuit 91 to ensure proper supply of tobacco mixture to the respective worm extruders.

Figure 7 also shows a cutting assembly 91 at the discharge of the extrusion head, which assembly is also operated synchronously by the control circuit 91 about the tube 100 to separate units of cohesive mass. to cut. Such a cutting operation can be synchronized to occur immediately prior to the application of a wad 101, whereby each unit will contain a single head at the forward end of its passage. Preferably, however, the cutting assembly is controlled in such a way that cutting forms units which include plugs at both ends. This is accomplished by operating the extruder to extrude the plugs in operation in such a way that the plug material of a desired length is obtained and by controlling the cutting assembly accordingly to pass the tube 100 through cut in places along the length of each extruded plug.

Figure 8 shows the common extrusion head 74 of Figure 7 in more detail. As shown, the extrusion head 74 includes an outer jacket or support assembly 110, which consists of a central hollow cylindrical body 111, the opposite ends of which are attached to support rings 112 and 113 by screws (not shown). recessed portion 114 of body 111 cooperates with an opposite central recessed portion 115 of ring 112 in supporting a first hollow mandrel 116. The inner conical surface 117 of mandrel 116 extends into a short cylindrical lead surface 118, the latter surface 118 terminating at the end of the ring 112, thereby defining a discharge opening 119.

A further hollow mandrel 121 is supported by the ring 113 and by a hollow locking element 122, which is held between the latter ring and the body 111. The mandrel 121 extends the length of the assembly 110 and the outer surface 123 of the mandrel is spaced some distance from the resp. inner surfaces 128 and 117 of the body 111 and the mandrel 116. These surfaces (123,128,117) define an annular passage 124 for receiving the tubular extruder from the extruder 73, The surface 123 extends into the region of the surface 117 tapers inwardly, both surfaces cooperating to provide an annular discharge passage 125 having a radial distribution corresponding to the thickness of the tubular mass to be formed and of an external diameter corresponding to the slate - * surface 118.

A central bore 126 extends the length of the mandrel 121 and receives the plug-shaped extrusion product from the extruder 82. The bore 126 at the end of the mandrel 121 is approximately equal to the internal diameter from the discharge passage 125, whereby a plug-shaped extrusion product of such size is delivered at the end of the discharge passage. An air line 76 passes through the bore 126 and provides air in the area adjacent the passage 125 and the discharge port 119 to prevent collapse of the tube 100 during its extrusion.

In operation, the pressure applied to the tubular extruded mass via the extruder machine 73 forces the extrusion product into the passage 124 and then into the annular discharge opening 125. The extrusion product leaves the passage 125 as a thin-walled tubular hanging mass 100, which the latter mass 25 is led through the cylinder surface 118 to the discharge port 119. If no pressure is applied to the plug-shaped extrusion product by the extruder 82, the tubular mass 100 leaves the device without plug material and passes through a constriction ring 127 attached to the mandrel lib6.

When the extrusion machine 82 applies pressure to the plug-shaped extrusion product, the extrusion product is driven into the central bore 26 and fed to the end of the annular passage 125, where it contacts the interior of one of the inner wall of the simultaneously formed tubular mass 100 is received. As pressure is applied to the plug-like extrusion product, the plugs continue to run. 81 0 2 2 9 9 •; Extruded product and the tubular mass together through the discharge port 119 into the central opening 129 of the ring 127. The latter nozzle first tapers inwardly to widen thereafter, tapering inwardly. tapered section terminates with a radial cross section, which is less than the external diameter of the tubular mass. On reaching the end of the tapered inwardly portion, the front end of the tubular mass is constricted inwardly, bringing its wall in contact with the front end of the plug extruded product. At this point, the pressure applied to the plug-shaped extrusion product and the tubular mass, which is continuously extruded and which is now combined with the plug-shaped extrusion product, then separate from the plug-shaped extrusion product in the form of a plug 101, which moves with the tube through the opening 129. The portion of the tube, which coincides with the plug, then remains continuously constricted over further surface increments, thereby providing a coherent connection of the plug to the abdominal wall over the entire length of the prop is reached.

In this way, the tube and plug are joined without the tubular mass experiencing excessive resistance, thereby preventing thickening of the tube wall during joining.

It should be noted, however, that the cohesive connection of the plug 101 and the tubular mass 100 can also be carried out in other ways, for example by expanding the plug according to known methods so that it becomes connected to the wall of the mass .

As noted above, the air permeability of the plug 101 can be effected during plug forming and in this connection it is possible to modify the extrusion head of Figure 8 such that. through-holes in the plugs are provided during the extrusion thereof. This can be achieved by arranging thin fixed rods 131 in the bore 8102299 -25-126 some distance apart, which rods extend from a point in the bore beyond the annular passage 125. These rods can be held by a ring 133, which can be placed intermediate portions of the mandrel 121, thereby holding the rods in the desired location in the bore 126.

The density of the bars formed according to the examples below was determined according to the following formula: 10 '(f \ 2 i \ 2 \ density 8g / cc) - x (f) - fe) x ^ aTdVstL1 ~ where OD is the external diameter of the bar is in cm, ID is the internal diameter of the bar in cm and the length is 15. .

and weight of the bar in cm, resp. grams.

The pressure drop (AP) was measured by blocking an open extruded tube at one end and inserting a pressure drop measuring instrument at the other end. The registered AP is inversely proportional to the airflow through the walls of the tube.

The following examples serve to illustrate the invention.

Example I

Light tobacco with a moisture content of about 11.6% OV was ground in a Fritsch-Ptilverisette mill.

The ground tobacco was sieved through a 0.25 mm mesh screen to remove coarse particles, while the 0.25 mm and less size fraction was chosen for further processing.

To 224.9 g of the tobacco with a particle size of 0.25 mm and less and a moisture content of 11.06% OV, 48.0 mm of 95% ethanol and 47.1 g of water were added. This mixture was stirred for about 20 minutes in a Hobart mixer (model N-50) equipped with a conventional flat "B" grinder blade.

The tobacco mixture with a solids content of 64.5 wt% was then extruded into 0.5 mm wall thickness tubes. To perform the extrusion, 8102299 -26- became a 2.54 cm Wayne Plastics extrusion machine with a worm with a compression ratio of 1: 1, an automatic heating over three zones and an automatic fan cooling over three zones, a straight pipe nozzle with an external diameter of 8 mm and an internal diameter of 7 mm and a drive of 2.2 kW with a variable speed (Ö.ri60 rpm). Zones 1-3 were kept at room temperature. The maximum overpressure on the extrusion nozzle was 105 kg / cm. Although these extrusion conditions were favorable for short-term tests, it was for longer. continuous testing requires cooling the cylinder to avoid skin formation on the rod.

Some of the extruded tobacco tubes were dried in an Apollo microwave oven for 5 minutes at maximum power. After drying, the tubes were ignited and static. kept burning.

Extruded tubes were also allowed to dry overnight at room temperature. These tubes were then cut to lengths of 85 mm with an average measured weight of 12.70 mg / mm and a calculated density of 1.078 g / cm. Four of these tubes were allowed to burn static, determining the average combustion time, which was found to be 4.8 mm / min. Other tubes dried at room temperature were automatically smoked under controlled laboratory conditions. TPM and tar delivery were measured using standardized analysis techniques from the tobacco industry. The mean TPM / puff was 0.35 mg and the average tar release / puff 0.28 mg.

Example II

677.7 g of light tobacco (with a particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 11.56% OV was combined with 144 ml of 95% ethanol and 138 g of water. The mixture was mixed in a Hobart mixer for 30 minutes, covered for 35 and kept at ambient temperature for 1.5 hours. The solid content before the extrusion was 65.82%.

The equipment and conditions for the extrusion were the same as used in Example X. The nozzle pressure during sample collection was about 2 kg / cm 2, while the maximum melting temperature of the extrusion product at the extrusion nozzle 43, 3 ° C.

The extruded tubes all had an external diameter of 8 mm, an internal diameter of 7 mm and a wall thickness of 0.5 mm.

Tubes were allowed to dry overnight at room temperature. Representative samples were cut to lengths of 85 mm, which had an average weight of 12.64 mg / mm. The calculated density was 1.073-3 g / cm. Static combustion was determined as described in Example I and found to be 3.52 mm / min.

The TPM and tar release / puff, also determined as described in Example I, bleached 0.26 mg, respectively. 0.16 mg to 15.

In addition, the smoke from the third puff of 4 tobacco tubes was collected and gas phase components thereof were measured using conventional gas chromatography techniques. The mean gas concentrations of the third puff of 4 samples were as follows: 02 - 9.61 mg / third puff of the tube CO - 0.07 mg / third puff of the tube CO2 - 1.11 mg / third puff of the tube tube

Finally, the average pressure drop (èfi) of five representative 85 mm tubes was 3.96 cm H2 O.

Example III

564.7 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 11.5% OV was combined with 120 ml of 95% ethanol and 115.3 g of water in the same manner as described in Example II. . The mixture was stirred for 25 minutes and then left to stand overnight in a covered state. Before the extrusion, the mixture had a solid content of 65.05%.

The nozzle of the extruder was modified to extrude a tobacco tube with an outside diameter of 8 mm and an inside diameter of 5 mm. Using the apparatus of Example 1, the extrusion conditions were as follows:

Extrusion conditions

Time Overpressure at the Melting Temperature,

cup, kg / cm2 ° C

0 minutes 0 23.9 5 minutes 38.7 29.4 10 minutes 31.6 36.7 15 minutes 26.4 40.6 20 minutes 26.4 41.1 25 minutes 26.4 42.8 30 minutes 26, 4 43.3 34 minutes 24.6 44.4

The extruded tubes were dried at room temperature overnight. Representative examples of the tubes extruded between the 6-10 minute time interval were referred to as tubes A, while further tubes extruded between about 23 and 28 minutes were referred to as tubes B.

Representative tobacco tubes were analyzed IQ to obtain the results listed in Table A below.

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Example IV

443.21 g of Burley tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 9.75% OV was stirred in a Hobart mixer for about 25 min with 96 ml of 95% ethanol and 100.8 g water. Before the extrusion, the mixture had a solids content of 64.5%.

Using the above-described Wayne plastic extruder, Burley tobacco tubes with an outside diameter of 8 mm and an inside diameter of 6.5 mm were extruded under the same conditions as described in Example II except that the transfer to the extrusion machine was modified to extend the range of rotational speeds of the worm to 0-120 rpm. During the extrusion at 120 rpm, the maximum overpressure in the head was 175 kg / cm and the maximum melting temperature was 66.1 ° C. The tobacco tubes were extruded successfully. See also example XI.

Example V

440.8 g of Orient tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 9.25% OV was combined with 96 ml of 95% ethanol and 103.2 g of water. The mixture was stirred and extruded for 25 minutes using the same extrusion conditions and equipment as described in Example IV. The maximum overpressure in the head 2 was 42-49 kg / cm, while the maximum melting temperature was 43.3 ° C. The tobacco tubes exiting the extrusion nozzle were found to be slightly tacky and more flexible than tubes of both light and Burley tobaccos.

30 With regard to static combustion, see example XI.

Example VI

A mixing tobacco tube was prepared using the following ingredients: 22.1 g of light tobacco -35 with a moisture content of 9.12% OV, 110.8 g of Burley tobacco with a moisture content of 9.75% OV, 110.8 Orient tobacco with a moisture content of 0.25% OV, 96.0 ml of 95% ethanol and 102.0 g of water. . All tobacco 8102299 -31- used as starting material had a particle size of 0.25 mm and less.

The dry tobacco materials were mixed in a Hobart mixer and the alcohol and water were added.

After mixing for 25 minutes, the material was extruded as described above in Example IV. The maximum overpressure in the head was 67 kg / cm, while the maximum melting temperature was 44.4 ° C.

The blended tobacco extruded tubes exiting the sample were found to be more flexible than a light tobacco only tube, but less flexible than a Burley or Orient only tobacco tube.

Example VII

A light tobacco-only tube was extruded using the same procedure and nozzle as used in Example IV. The ingredients used were 440.1 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 9.12% OV, 96.0 ml of 95% ethanol and 103.9 g of water.

During the extrusion, a maximum overpressure 2 in the head of 98 kg / cm was reached, while the maximum melting temperature was 46.7 ° C.

Example VIII

The following tobacco ingredients were mixed in a Hobart mixer: 220.1 g of light tobacco (0.25 mm and.

less) with a moisture content of 9.12% OV) 10.8 g Burely tabek (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 9.75% OV.

30 110.2 g Orient tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 9.25% OV.

102.9 g of water and 26.0 ml of a cigarette flavoring solution in 70 ml of ethanol were alternately added to the tobacco mixture. After the solutions were all added, the total mixture was stirred for an additional 25 minutes.

The tobacco blend with a total solids content of 64.5%. then extruded using the 2.54 cm Wayne Plastics 8102299 -32 extrusion machine. Zones 1-3 were kept at room temperature during the extrusion. The maximum overpressure in the head was 67 kg / cm, while the maximum melting temperature was 52.8 ° C. The extruded tubes with an external diameter of 8 mm and an internal diameter of 6.5 mm were found to be very flexible when leaving the nozzle. See also example XI, in particular table C.

Example IX

In the same manner as described in Example VIII, the following ingredients were combined and mixed in a Hobart mixer: 220.1 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 9.12% OV.

110.8 g Burley tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 9.75% OV.

110.2 g Orient tobacco (particle size 0.25 mm and less) :.

with a moisture content of 9.25% OV.

10.0 g of mixed sugar solution 96.0 ml of 95% ethanol 92.9 g of water.

The water and ethanol were mixed together and added to the tobacco materials alternately with the sugar solution. Mixing was continued for an additional 25 minutes after all ingredients were added. The solid content was 64.5%.

Tobacco tubes were extruded in the same manner as described in Example VIII. During the extrusion, the maximum overpressure in the head was 63 kg / cm, while the maximum melting temperature was 52.2 ° C.

The extruded tubes were dried in an oven at 100 ° C overnight. Tube samples ignited immediately after removal from the oven were found to sustain static combustion. Tubes, which were oven dried and then equilibrated with air at room temperature, also showed static combustion, although some of them .....

tended to go out and had to be lit again.

Example X.

The following ingredients were combined and mixed in a Hobart mixer:

286.1 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 9.12% OV

110.8 g Burley tobacco (particle size 0.25 mm and less)

with a moisture content of 9.75% OV

44.1 g Orient tobacco (particle size 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 9.25% OV 10 10.0 g mixed sugar solution 13.0 ml flavoring solution (moisturizing agent and flavoring agents) 92.2 ml 95% ethanol 106.4 g water.

The materials were mixed for about 25 minutes after adding the ingredients. The solids content was 64.5%. The extrusion of the tobacco tubes with an external diameter of 8 mm and an internal diameter of 6.5 ram took place under conditions described in Example VIII. The observed maximum overpressure in the head was 49 kg / cm, while the maximum melting temperature was 52.2 ° C.

Selected representative tubes were dried in an oven at 100 ° C overnight. The dried tubes burned successfully. Tubes, which were dried and equilibrated at room temperature, also showed static combustion. On burning, it was observed that the tobacco tube provided a clear cigar aroma. Example XI

Representative examples of the extruded tubes of Examples IV-VII were dried in an oven at 100 ° C overnight. Half of the tubes were ignited immediately after removal from the oven to determine if static combustion could be sustained. The other half was equilibrated with air overnight at room temperature and then examined for static combustion. The results 8102299 -34 are summarized in Table B.

TABLE B

Example Dried Dried and balanced IV Burned ... Burned V No static burned No static burn branding VI Burn Burned VII Burned Burned

However, with respect to the second example in Table B, it appears that if the extruded tubes of Example V (and a comparative sample of Example 5 VIII) were subjected to the water treatment described below, a significant improvement in combustion properties was achieved .

Extruded tubes were cut to a length of 100 mm and then dipped in water so that a length of 50 mm per tube became wet. The tubes were dried in a micro wave oven and conventional cellulose acetate filters were attached to the untreated end of each tube. The static burning rate and the length of the tube burned were determined. The results are summarized in Table C below.

TABLE C

Duration of the Static Burnt

Submerge sample, burn length seconds speed. .-, Example V 30 No combustion -

Example V 45 - No combustion

Example V 60 0.75 10 mm

Example V 90 1.81 50 mm

Example VIII 30 2.58 50 mm

Example XIII

433.1 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 7.46% OV was combined with 96 g of 95% methanol and 110.9 g of water. The material 81 0 2 2 9 9 -35- was mixed in a Hobart mixer for 25 minutes at room temperature.

The tobacco blend with a solids content of about 62.5% was extruded using a Wayne plastic material extruder fitted with a pipe nozzle having an outer diameter of 8 mm and an inner diameter of 7 mm. The extrusion conditions were the same as used in Example o IV. The pressure in the extruder was running. up to 84 kg / cm when the first tubes were collected, while a pressure of 70 kg / cm was recorded when the extrusion ended 17 minutes later.

The hollow extruded tubes were dried at room temperature overnight. The outer walls 15 of the tubes were found to be very smooth and tight. Attempts to burn the pipes statically were unsuccessful.

Extruded tubes with a length of 100 mm, which were prepared in the manner described above, were immersed in water for several periods to a depth of 50 mm. The tubes were then dried in a microwave oven for 2 minutes. The pressure drop of each tube was determined before and after water treatment and re-drying. The results are shown in Table D.

See also example XIX.

25 TABLE · · D.

Duration of Pressure drop, cm H20 dipping, sec. - In front of . After 5 154.91 153.77 10 153.67 146.58 15 153.97 132.26 20 153.85 41.86 25 154.20 25.93 30 152.53 14.48

The results show that by re-wetting and re-drying the pipe wall is modified to a considerable extent, thereby reducing the pressure drop.

Example XIV

In the same manner as described in Example XIII, the following materials were combined and mixed in the Hobart 5 mixer to form a mixture with a solids content of 62.5%, which was extruded using the Vayayne plastic extruder: 324 8 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 7.65% OV 10 72.0 g of 95% n.propanol 83.2 g of water.

The initial material exiting the extrusion machine was found to be very dropg. Extruding was continued for about 15 minutes with the tube production slowing down more than was usually observed. The extruded hollow tubes were dried at room temperature overnight. The tubes, when lit, showed static combustion.

Example XV

In the same manner as described in Example XIII, the following ingredients were combined and mixed to form a mixture with a solids content of 62.5%, which was extruded using the Wayne plastic material extruder: 324.8 g light tobacco (particle size 0.25 mm and less)

with a bend content of 7.64% OV

72.0 g of 95% isopropanol 83.0 g of water.

The pressure in the extruder increased to 91 kg / cm during the extrusion. The extruded hollow tubes had good mechanical properties. After drying overnight at room temperature, the tubes were examined for static combustion. The tubes were found not to sustain static combustion under normal test conditions. However, see example XIX with regard to a post-treatment.

Example XVI

In the same manner as described in Example 8102299 -37- XIII, the following materials were combined, mixed for 25 minutes and then extracted: 324.8 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 7.64% OV 5 72.0 g of 95% t-butanol 83.2 g of water.

During the extrusion, the overpressure varied between 277 and 104 kg / cm. The extruded hollow tubes were found to have poor mechanical properties in the wet state. The solvent tended to evaporate rapidly as it exited the nozzle, while the tubes took on a lighter color while the solvent evaporated. After drying overnight, the extruded tubes were examined for static combustion. After burning for about 2 minutes, the tube went out. However, see example XIX regarding post-treatment.

Example XVII

Using the procedure of Example XIII, the following materials were combined and mixed to form a mixture with a solids content of 62.5%, which was extruded: 324.8 g of light tobacco (0.25 mm particle size) and less)

with a moisture content of 7.64% OV

72.0 g of 95% dichloromethane 23 83.2 g of water.

During the extrusion, the pressure rose to about 2 105 kg / cm. The mechanical properties of the extruded hollow tubes were excellent. The tubes showed a high degree of plasticity and could be stretched without breakage. Lengths over 1 mm could be extruded successfully. The dried tubes did not sustain static combustion. However, see example XIX regarding aftertreatment.

Example XVIII

Using the procedure of Example XIII, the following materials were combined and mixed to form a mixture with a solids content of 62.5%, which was extruded: 8102299 -38- 332.2 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0 , 25 mm and less)

with a moisture content of 9.7% OV

34.2 g dichloromethane 36.0 g Methanol 5 77.0 g water.

During the extrusion, the tubes showed some plasticity, which was however less than that observed when dichloromethane was used as the predominant solvent. Static combustion was achieved by post-treatment as described in the following example.

Example XIX

Representative tubes made according to Examples XIII, XV, XVI, XVII, and XVIII were cut to a length of 100 mm. The tubes were run for 30 sec. dipped in water in such a way that exactly 50 mm from each tube came into contact with the water. The tubes were dried in a microwave oven of CEM Corporation model AVC-MP for 2 minutes at maximum power. Conventional cellulose acetate filters were attached to the untreated end of each tube after drying.

The tubes were clamped to the filter end and the water-treated end was ignited. The static combustion rate was based on the time required to burn the 50 mm water-treated portion of the tube. The results are summarized in Table E below.

TABLE E.

Example Solvent and Tobacco Statasche Burning Rate, mm / min XIII Methanol 1.85 XV Isopropanol 3.64 XVI Tert.butanol 2.13 XVII Dichloromethane 0.68-1 XVIII Dichloromethane Ethanol:. which was dipped in water for 30 seconds did not show static combustion. After an immersion time of 45 sec. the tube burned for 8 minutes and 5 sec. and then go out. After relighting, the tube burned for an additional 6 minutes and 35 seconds. The total combustion length was 10 mm.

The results show that when dried extruded tobacco tubes are subjected to a treatment with water, the tube wall is modified in such a way that the combustion properties of the tube 10 are improved.

Example XX

The following ingredients were combined and mixed in a Hobart mixer for about 25 minutes:

154.05 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 9.15% OV

61.53 g PCB * carbon (0.25-0.43 mm particle size) with

a moisture content of 2.48% OV

48.0 ml 95% ethanol 56.4 g water 20 * PCB = Pittsburgh carbon with a particle size of 0.25-0.42 mm.

The mixture of tobacco and coal with a solids content of 64.5% was dark, but was found to have the same consistency as the previously used mixtures.

Using the extrusion conditions of Example VIII, pipes of tobacco and coal were made with an outside diameter of 8 mm and an inside diameter of 6.5 mm. During the extrusion, the maximum 2 overpressure in the head was 140 kg / cm, while the maximum melting temperature was 41.1 ° C.

After drying overnight, the tobacco and coal tubes were found to sustain static combustion.

Example XXI

Tubes of tobacco and cabbage, the cabbage making up about 40% of the total solids content in the preparation, were manufactured using the following ingredients: / 81 02 29 9 4040 -206.7 g light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 ram and less)

with a moisture content of 9.12% OV

130.3 g of PCB carbon (particle size of 0.105-0.25 mm) 75.1 ml of 95% ethanol 5 88.7 g of water (solid content of 64.5%).

Tobacco and coal tubes were extruded, the outside diameter of which was 8 mm and the inside diameter of 5 mm. The Wayne plastics extrusion machine was modified by incorporating a spider causing minor constriction to improve the flow properties.

The extrusion conditions were as follows:

Zone 1 - 38 ° C Zone 2 - 66 ° C 15 Zone 3 - 93 ° C

Mouthpiece - 21 ° C

Heat speed 120 rpm.

During the extrusion, an overpressure of about 42 kg / cm developed in the head, which was followed by a rapid extrusion of tubular product. When the pressure dropped, the production of tubing ceased, but as the pressure increased, product was extruded again.

Extruded tube samples were taken for -25; dried overnight and examined for static combustion. All samples maintained a static burn.

Example XXII

The following ingredients were combined and mixed in a Hobart mixer: 154.0 g light tobacco (particle size 0.25 mm and less)

with a moisture content of 9.12% OV

60.0 g calcium carbonate with a moisture content of 0.06% OV

(particle size 0.3 mm and less) 35 48.0 ml 95% ethanol 57.9 g water (solid content 64.5%).

After mixing for 25 minutes, tobacco tubes were extruded using the conditions described in Example VIII. The maximum overpressure in the head reached 70 kg / cm during extrusion. The extruded tubes were found to have a slightly larger diameter than 8 mm. This can be the result of an expansion caused by the carbonate 5.

Example XXIII

222.3 g of light tobacco with a particle size of 0.25 mm and less and a moisture content of 10.09% OV was combined with 84.8 g of water and mixed in a Hobart mixer for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Then 50 g of ammonium carbonate with 20% OV were added and the mixture was stirred for an additional 10 minutes.

The material was extruded from the plastic material Wayne extrusion machine under the following conditions:

Zone 1 - 30 ° C

Zone 2 - 50 ° C

Zone 3 - 70 ° C

Mouthpiece - 100 ° C

20 Supply of cooling water

Straight pipe nozzle (external diameter of 8 mm, internal diameter of 7 mm).

No pressure is observed in the extrusion head; the temperature of the nozzle dropped from 25 to 90 ° C during extrusion.

A representative example of the extruded tubes was cut to a length of 85 mm and equilibrated overnight in a moisture chamber at a relative humidity of 60%. After igniting with a gas flame, the hollow tube maintained a static burn for more than 6 minutes. A 20 mm section of the tube had a burn rate of 0.185 mm / sec.

Example XXIV

200.2 g light tobacco, particle size 0.25-35 0.42 mm, with a moisture content of 10.0% OV and 150.0 g tobacco suspension, containing diammonium phosphate and having a solid content of 18.0% (the slurry was of a type prepared according to U.S. Pat. .

The material, which tended to form small spheres -5, was extruded successfully using the Wayne plastic material extruder.

The three zones and the nozzle were all at room temperature initially, while no cooling was used during the extrusion. The worm speed was between 30-60 rpm, while the overpressure in the head was 49 kg / cm.

Extruding was stopped when the nozzle temperature reached 100 ° C. Further tubes with an outside diameter of 8 mm and an inside diameter of 7 mm were extruded successfully.

After ignition with a gas flame, a sample of the latter tubes showed static combustion for about 3 minutes and 20 seconds.

Example XXV

222.3 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.42 20 mm and less) with a moisture content of 10.05% OV was combined with 111.0 g of water. The mixture was stirred in a Hobart mixer for 1.5 hours.

The tobacco mixture having a solids content of 60% by weight was then fed to the hopper of the extruder described in Example I and an attempt was made to extrude hollow tobacco tubes with an outside diameter of 8 mm and an inside diameter of 1. mm.

The. Initially set temperatures were as follows:

30 Zone 1 - 30 ° C

Zone 2 - 50 ° C

Zone 3 - 70 ° C

nozzle - 100 ° C

Supply of cooling water to the filling funnel.

Tobacco tubes were extruded under these conditions. During the extrusion, steam was observed to exit the nozzle. The temperature of zone 3 was then raised to 100 ° C. Under these conditions, 8102299 tobacco tubes were extruded, while a larger amount of steam was observed to exit the nozzle than at the 70 ° C setting.

The nozzle temperature was then raised to 140 ° C. Tobacco tubes were extruded under these conditions. It was observed that steam left the nozzle and that the external surface of the extruded tubes was more irregular (not smooth) than under the previous conditions. None of the samples extruded under the above extrusion conditions sustained static combustion, indicating the need for post-treatment or other porosity control method.

Example XXVI

112.5 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25-0.42 mm) with a moisture content of 11.06% OV was combined with 61.33 g of water and 17.0 g of 95% ethanol. The mixture was stirred in a Hobart mixer for 1.25 hours. Then 112.5 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.42-0.84 mm) with a moisture content of 11.06% OV was added to the mixture, followed by stirring for an additional 15 minutes. The tobacco mixture having a solids content of 65.9% by weight was then fed to the hopper of an extruder in an attempt to extrude hollow tobacco tubes with an external diameter of 8 mm and an internal diameter of 7 mm.

The temperature control of the extruder was set as follows.

Zone 1 - ambient temperature

Zone 2 - Ambient Temperature 30 Zone 3 - Ambient Nozzle Temperature - Off

No supply of cooling water to the filling funnel.

The ambient temperature settings were achieved by moving the control device to a position such that neither heating nor cooling took place. The temperature was 21 ° C.

Hollow tobacco tubes were extruded, placed on paper towels and air dried overnight in a room 8102299-44. After drying, the tubes maintained a static burn.

• Example XXVII.

1092.2 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 8.44% was combined with 268.3 g of water and 189.9 g of 95% ethanol. The mixture was mixed in a Hobart mixer for 35 minutes.

The tobacco mixture with a solids content of 64.5% by weight was then divided into two parts. About 3/4 of the mixture was fed to a 2.54 cm cylinder table extruder from Wayne Machine and Die Company. The extrusion machine was equipped with four automatic temperature controls, three zones on the cylinder and one on the nozzle, a supply of cooling water to the hopper, cooling fans mounted on the cylinder, a 1: 1 extrusion mold and a Gentron manometer No. GT-90 from 0-700 kg / cm. 1/4 of the mixture was charged into the hopper of a Wayne Model 2417 plastic material extruder. The Model 20 No. 2417 extrusion machine was modified to use a 2.54 cm water-cooled cylinder, a 2.54 cm 1: 1 extrusion mold and an automatic hopper fed.

This was coupled to the extruder mentioned above through a modified cross-head extrusion nozzle from Wayne 25 Machine and Die Company.

The extruder Model No. 2417 was then operated in such a way that the tobacco mixture was extruded successively into the open passage of the simultaneously extruded hollow tobacco tubes, which were extruded using the extruder described above.

The successive extrusion of the tobacco mixture into the tubes with an external diameter of 8 mm and an internal diameter of 7 mm gave rise to a series of plugs with a length of about 5 mm, which are spaced about 35 mm along the longitudinal axis of the hollow tubes. The extrusion conditions for the hollow tubes were as follows:

Zone 1 - 50 ° C

81 02 2 9 9 -45-

Zone 2 - 70 ° C. ~

Zone 3 - 90 ° C

Mouthpiece - 200 ° C

Supply of cooling water to the hopper 5 Using the crosshead extrusion nozzle and simultaneous extrusion.

Some samples of this extrusion product were placed in a CEM microwave oven model AUC-MP and dried at 1/2 power for 5 minutes. The samples dried in this manner maintained static combustion.

Additional samples of the extrusion product were allowed to air dry on paper towels overnight. These samples were then cut to smokable lengths through the tube samples in the center of each plug. to obtain 75 mm length samples and 2.5 mm thick tobacco plugs at each end. Several small holes were then longitudinally drilled through the end plugs of the samples using drill bits nos. 80 and 69 to allow smoking of the samples by a smoker.

Cellulose acetate filters about 20 mm in length were then attached to one end of the samples using cellophane adhesive tape.

These samples did not sustain static combustion. The samples were then monitored for 2 sec. immersed in water and allowed to dry overnight at room temperature. After drying, the samples maintained a static burn and could be smoked.

Example XVIII

327.2 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 8.44% OV was mixed with 81.67 g of water, 57.4 g of 95% ethanol and 3.03 g of t-butyl -p-menthane carboxamide united. The mixture was stirred in a Hobart mixer for 35 minutes.

The tobacco mixture with a solid content of

64.5% by weight was then divided into two parts and under the same conditions as described in Example XXVII

8102299

* V

-46- extruded.

Crumpled tube samples that were extruded in this manner were dried in a microwave oven at half power (181.4 W) for 5 minutes. These samples maintained a static burn.

Smokable samples were prepared from the air-dried extrusion product by the same method used in Example XXVII. These monsters \

did not sustain static combustion but burned in. 10 'sufficient to be lit and smoked normally. A smoke-like cooling effect was observed upon smoking these samples. Example XXIX

338.8 g of light tobacco (particle size of 0.25 mm and less) with a moisture content of 11.46% OV was combined with 69.2 g of water and 56.8 g of 95% ethanol. The mixture was stirred in a Hobart mixer for 35 minutes.

C The tobacco mixture having a solids content of 64.5% was fed to the extruder described in Example XXVt, which extruded hollow tobacco tubes with an external diameter of 8 mm and an internal diameter of 8 mm under the same conditions / as described in Example XXVI. 7 mm.

Samples of the extrusion product were placed on 25 'paper towels and allowed to air dry overnight in a room.

Some samples obtained over the 5.5-7.0 minute time interval from the extrusion were selected for analysis. The results of the analysis were as follows:

Sample weight 12.96 mg / mm

Wall density (calc.) 1,100 g / cc ΔΡ (85mm) 10.01 cm H20

Static burn rate. 23.46 mm / min 35 RPM / 0.16 mg puff

Tar / puff 0.10 mg CO release at third puff 0.03 mg 81 02 2 9 9 -47-

Example XXX

451.8 g of light tobacco with a moisture content of 11.46% OV was combined with 92.2 g of water and 75.7 g of 95% ethanol. The mixture was stirred in a Hobart mixer for 25 minutes.

The tobacco mixture having a solids content of 64.5 wt% was then fed to the table extruder of Wayne Machine and Die Company listed in Example XXVII. The nozzle of the extruder was modified to extrude hollow tubes with an outside diameter of 8mm and an inside diameter of 6mm. The extrusion conditions were the same as for example XXVI.

The extruded tobacco tubes were placed on paper towels to air dry overnight in a room.

Samples of the extrusion product, which were collected over the 5.5-7.5 minute extrusion time interval, were selected for analysis. The results of the analysis were as follows:

Sample weight 19.87 mg / mm

Wall density 0.904 g / cc AP (85 mm) 17.20 cm H20

Static burn rate 31.20 mm / min 25 RPM / puff 0.21 mg.

Tar / Puff 0.17 mg CO Release at Third Puff 0.06 mg 81 02 29 9

Claims (51)

A smoking article, characterized by a cohesive mass of combustible tobacco-containing material having at least one passage, which extends therethrough between an opening in the surface of the mass and a second opening 5 at a distance from the first opening, which tobacco mass has such a porosity that it undergoes combustion after ignition and such a density and porosity that a gas flow through the mass as such is virtually excluded. , 10 Smoking article according to claim 1, characterized by a first air-permeable plug of easily ignitable material, which blocks the passage at one end. 3. Smoking article according to claim 2, characterized by at least one further air-permeable plug, which blocks the passage at a distance from the first plug. Smoking article according to claim 3, characterized in that the further plug is located at the other end of the passage. Smoking article according to one or more of claims 1-4, characterized by a passage extending axially through a mass formed as a cylinder. 6. Smoking article according to claim 5, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of the passage is larger than the corresponding cross-sectional area of the mass. Smoking article according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tobacco-containing material 30 contains extruded crushed tobacco. Smoking article according to claim 7, characterized in that the crushed tobacco has a particle size of less than 0.6 mm. A smoking article according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tobacco-containing material further contains filler particles that are not of tobacco. A smoking article according to claim 9, characterized in that the filler particles are selected from coal, calcium carbonate, diatomaceous earth and / or attapulgite. 11. Smoking article according to one or more of claims 1-10, characterized in that the tobacco-containing material further contains a combustion additive. Smoking article according to one or more of claims 2-11, characterized in that at least one plug, which blocks the passage, contains an aromatizing substance. 13. A method of making smoking articles 10, characterized in that a mixture of flammable tobacco material with at least one volatile liquid is imparted in the form of a discrete cohesive mass under pressure, a passage is formed through the mass and the mass is dried, the the composition of the mixture, the pressure for molding and the drying conditions are controlled in such a way that the mass is imparted with such porosity and density that it virtually excludes a gas flow, but that after ignition the combustion is maintained. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the continuous passage is formed during the imparting of the shape to the mass. 15. Process according to claim 13, characterized in that the continuous passage is formed after the mass has been shaped. Method according to one or more of claims 13-15, characterized in that the tobacco mixture has a solid content of 55-75% by weight, preferably of 60-70% by weight. Process according to one or more of claims 13-16, characterized in that the tobacco material is crushed. 18. Process according to claim 17, characterized in that the particle material is attached to the tobacco material in such a way that it passes a sieve with mesh openings of 0.6 mm and preferably of 0.25 mm. Method according to one or more of claims 13-18, with the. characterized in that the mixture also contains a material which does not act as a binder. Method according to one or more of claims 13-19 / characterized in that the liquids consist of water and a volatile organic liquid. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that the organic liquid is a low molecular weight tobacco-compatible alcohol, for example ethanol. 22. Process according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the ratio of organic liquid to water is between 1: 6 and 1: 1 and preferably between 1: 2 and 1: 1. 23. Process according to one or more of claims 13-22, characterized in that the tobacco material and the other ingredients are mixed together until a substantially homogeneous mixture is obtained. A method according to claim 23, characterized in that the mixing is carried out for 15 minutes to several hours. A method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the tobacco material and the other ingredients are mixed together in a closed environment to prevent evaporation of the organic liquid. 26. Process according to one or more of claims 23-25, characterized in that the tobacco material is comminuted before mixing. 27. A method according to any one of claims 13-26, characterized in that the mixture is given the form of a cohesive mass by extrusion. 28. A method according to claim 27, characterized in that the extrusion is carried out under conditions in which the tobacco mixture is exposed to minimal mechanical work, but under a pressure sufficient to release the natural binders present in the tobacco material. A method according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that the tobacco mixture is forcibly added to the extruder. 8102299 -51- A method according to any one of claims 27-30, characterized in that the extrusion is carried out by screw extrusion, preferably with an extruder equipped with a 1: 1 worm. 31. Process according to claim 30, characterized in that the extrusion of the tobacco mixture 2 is carried out under a melting pressure equal to or less than 175 kg / cm 2 (17.25 Pa), preferably equal to or less than 85 kg / cm (8.25 Pa). A method according to claim 31, characterized in that the tobacco mixture during the extrusion is at a melting temperature (in analogy with the term to be used in the plastics industry for the temperature in the extruder) of 40 ° C or less. A method according to claim 27, characterized in that mefi performs the extrusion by plunger extrusion. 34. Process according to one or more of claims 27-33, characterized in that a substantially cylindrical mass is produced during the extrusion. A method according to claim 34, characterized in that a passage along the center line of the cylindrical mass is formed, which is preferably delimited by an inner surface of the mass formed. 36. A method according to claim 35, characterized in that the extruded cross-sectional area of the mass perpendicular to its axis is less than the cross-sectional area of the passage perpendicular to the same axis. 37. Method according to one or more of claims 13-36, characterized in that one or more porous, easily ignitable plugs are placed in the passage of the formed mass. 38. A method according to claim 37, characterized in that a plug is introduced into the passage by extrusion of plug material. A method according to claim 38, characterized in that the tobacco mixture and the plug material are extruded simultaneously. 81 02 2 9 9 * t * -52- 40. A method according to claim 39, characterized in that the extrusion of the plug material is allowed to take place intermittently. 41. A method according to claim 40, characterized in that the mass is cut transversely of the centerline at places where the plug material is located in the passage. 42. A method according to claim 41, characterized in that the cut is passed through the plug material. 43. A method according to claim 41 or 42, characterized in that the cutting takes place simultaneously with the extrusion of the tobacco mixture and is preferably synchronized therewith. 44. A method according to any one of claims 39-43, characterized in that force is applied to the wall of the extruded tobacco mixture to connect the tobacco mixture in conjunction with the extruded plug material. 45. A method according to any one of claims 39-43, characterized in that the plug material is allowed to expand and to be associated cohesively with the wall of the extruded tobacco mixture. 46. Process according to one or more of claims 13-45, characterized in that drying is carried out by exposing the formed mass to heat. 47. A process according to claim 46, characterized in that the drying is carried out with the aid of hot air, preferably at a temperature of 100 ° C, over a period from 15 minutes to 1 hour. A method according to claim 46, characterized in that the drying is carried out by exposing the formed mass to the microwave energy. 49. Process according to one or more of claims 13-45, characterized in that drying is carried out by exposing the formed mass to the surrounding atmosphere, preferably at a temperature within the range of 21-24 ° C for a period of 12-24 hours. 8102299 -53- 50. A method according to any one of claims 13-49, characterized in that the dried mass is re-wetted and dried again. 51. Process according to claim 50, characterized in that the re-wetting is carried out for a sufficient period of time to adjust the porosity of the mass to a desired value after re-drying. 8102299