NZ625665B2 - Tobacco-containing article - Google Patents

Abstract

tobacco-containing article (like a cigarette or other smokable products) comprising tobacco and aromatic plant parts, not from the tobacco plant. The amount of the aromatic plant parts is in the range of from 0.5% by weight to 25% by weight, related to the total weight of the tobacco and the aromatic plant parts. The aromatic plant parts can have a size, defined by a screening method, in the range of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm or of from 0.2 mm to 6 mm. Suitable substances for the aromatic plant parts are, e.g., spearmint, peppermint, anise, rosemary, wintergreen, ginger, lemon myrtle, lavender, mate, avocado, ground coffee beans. tic plant parts. The aromatic plant parts can have a size, defined by a screening method, in the range of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm or of from 0.2 mm to 6 mm. Suitable substances for the aromatic plant parts are, e.g., spearmint, peppermint, anise, rosemary, wintergreen, ginger, lemon myrtle, lavender, mate, avocado, ground coffee beans.

Description

Tobacco-containing article The invention relates to a tobacco-containing article and to a method of manufacturing a tobacco-containing article.

Tobacco-containing articles, like cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars or fine-cut products for self-made cigarettes and snus products, are often ised by means of flavourants, as e.g. menthol. Generally, such flavourants provide an intense flavour and are added in relatively small amounts, preferably as a liquid, e.g. during the preparation and saucing of the tobacco.

A disadvantage of this kind of tional flavouring is the volatility and tendency to loss of many flavourants.

It is also known to insert at least one flavour capsule into a tobacco-containing article, which can be broken by the consumer in order to release on demand the flavourant contained in the e. In this way, it is le to use volatile flavourants , but the o-containing article in question is more expensive.

Preferred embodiments of the invention may provide a tobacco- containing article which can offer to the consumer new taste and flavour experiences but, nevertheless, involves moderate manufacturing expenses only.

Any discussion of nts, acts, materials, devices, arti- cles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general dge in the field relevant to the t disclosure as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated t, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides tobacco-containing article, comprising: - tobacco and - aromatic plant parts, which do not derive from the tobacco plant, - wherein the amount of the aromatic plant parts is in the range of from 0.5% by weight to 25% by weight, related to the total weight of the tobacco and the ic plant parts, - n the tobacco-containing article is provided as one of the following tobacco-containing articles: a cigarette , a cigarillo, a cigar, pipe tobacco, fine-cut for self-made cigarettes, - wherein the aromatic plant parts comprise at least one of the substances selected from the following list: spearmint , mint, anise, ry, wintergreen, avocado, lavender, mate, ginger, lemon myrtle, and - wherein the ic plant parts have a size, defined by a screening method, in the range of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm.

The tobacco-containing article comprises tobacco and ic plant parts which do not derive from the tobacco plant. The amount of the aromatic plant parts is in the range of from 0.5% by weight to 25% by weight, related to the total weight of the tobacco and the aromatic plant parts.

In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the aromatic plant parts have a size in the range of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm - 2A - or in the range of from 0.2 mm to 6 mm. The size of the aromatic plant parts is d by a screening method, which is described in detail further below. Shortly, the aromatic plant – 3 – parts are submitted to a series of vibrating screens ing to DIN ISO 3310-1 having generally square meshes of decreasing sizes. If the aromatic plant parts have a size in a given range, virtually all of them will pass a screen having the up- per limit of the range as the nominal mesh size, whereas the aromatic plant parts will not pass a screen having the lower limit of the range as the nominal mesh size. Aromatic plant parts passing a mesh diagonally may have a greater length than the nominal mesh size, but they are included by definition. On the other hand, the material used for the ic plant parts may include some dust which even passes the st mesh size. This dust, by definition, is considered as not being a constituent of the aromatic plant parts. Its contribution is generally small. For a given advantageous embodiment, the to- tal size range of the aromatic plant parts is embedded in one of the above ranges, but may have a smaller or even much smaller extension (spread of sizes). All lower limits of greater than 0.1 mm and all upper limits of less than 10 mm of such spread are expressly disclosed herewith.

The amount of the aromatic plant parts is provided as a weight related to the total weight of the tobacco and the aromatic plant parts. Therefore, any major dependency on the actual moisture of the ic plant parts or of the tobacco cancels out. In case the amount of the aromatic plant parts is to be measured with a high precision, the weight ratio shall be determined after equilibration of the aromatic plant parts and of the tobacco for 2 days at 22°C and at a relative humidity of 58-60%.

The tobacco-containing e is an aromatised tobacco t , in which the aromatic plant parts are l constituents and not artificial or concentrated aromas. This provides for a natural, maybe somewhat subliminal taste experience. The addition of artificial flavours, which otherwise would have to be added as lic extracts, is not required, thus avoiding – 4 – alcoholic constituents. lly, the relative amount of the aromatic plant parts is greater than that of a conventional concentrated aroma substance, but not so great as to provide an obtrusive taste.

Since the ic plant parts are relatively large, e.g. in the range of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm or from 0.2 mm to 6 mm, they generally contain material in addition to any flavourants, e.g. in a plant cell structure, which is able to keep the fla- vourants and to reduce flavour loosening effects. This may result in a slightly increased flavour shelf life of the respective tobacco-containing article, compared to a conventional tobacco-containing article d with a liquid aroma concentrate.

Due to the ce of a significant amount of aromatic plant parts in addition to the tobacco, the relative amount of tobacco is smaller than in a tional tobacco product. In a cigarette, cigarillo or cigar, this results in a dilution ef- fect regarding tobacco nicotine and other constituents as, e.g., ammonia or nitrate. Examples are provided further below.

When the pH is increased because of the aromatic plant parts, the taste is generally er, although less nicotine is present. - 4A - The aroma of the side-stream smoke of, e.g., a cigarette can also be positively influenced and optimised, depending on the selection of the aromatic plant parts.

The visual appearance of the aromatic plant parts, which in many ations are leaves or leaf parts, implies a natural product and a natural aromatisation. The tobacco-containing article in question can generate a pleasant smell, even before consumption.

In advantageous embodiments of the tobacco-containing article according to the invention, the aromatic plant parts comprise, e.g., spearmint, peppermint, anise, rosemary, wintergreen, ginger, lemon myrtle, lavender, mate, avocado, ground coffee beans, sage, herbs, teas, or any mixtures thereof. For example , spearmint or peppermint causes a pleasant aroma. A detailed (but not exclusive) list of plants delivering le ic plant parts is given further below.

In the tobacco-containing article, at least part of the tobacco and of the aromatic plant parts can be ed in a combined mixture. That means, e.g. cut tobacco parts and aromatic plant parts (e.g., in the size range of from 0.2 mm to 6 mm or of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm) are mixed together to form a combined and preferably lly homogeneous mixture.

It is also possible that at least part of the tobacco comprises reconstituted tobacco. Sheets of tituted tobacco can be cut to form cut reconstituted tobacco, which can be mixed, e.g., with aromatic plant parts and also with natural cut tobacco. er, it is conceivable to make a reconstituted t from aromatic plant parts, e.g. in a way similar to one of the known processes of manufacturing reconstituted tobacco, so that at least part of the aromatic plant parts in the tobacco- containing article comprises a reconstituted product. A sheet of this reconstituted product can be cut to the desired size of the aromatic plant parts, e.g., in the range of from 0.2 mm to 6 mm or of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm.

In r embodiment, a reconstituted product is used Which contains a mixture of tobacco parts and of aromatic plant parts. Such reconstituted product can also be produced in a manner analogous to conVentional reconstituted tobacco. In this way, at least part of the tobacco and at least part of .15 the aromatic plant parts are included in'a combined reconsti- tuted product, which can be cut to the desired size.

In an advantageous ment of the ion, at least part of the aromatic plant parts is provided in the form of gran— ules, preferably of a size in the range of from 0.2 mm to 5 mm or from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm. Such granules can be made of pressed aromatic plant parts and optionally additional water, without further additives. Granules comprising aromatic plant parts as well as tobacco are also conceivable.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the to— bacco-containing article includes a cut top—loaded sheet prod— uct, in which a base layer comprises or is made of reconsti— tuted tobacco, wherein the base layer is provided on one side with aromatic plant parts. W0 03/082030 A discloses a method of manufacturing a aded sheet product, in this case a top-loaded cigarette filler, in which a base layer on a basis of a fine on of tobacco and cellulose fibres is provided on one side with a fraction of course tobacco, wherein the as— sembly is subjected to a (drying ent. In an analogous manner, a base layer comprising reconstituted tobacco can be provided on one side with aromatic plant parts, and after dry- ing this top—loaded sheet product is cut to pieces of the de— sired size.

It is also vable that the tobacco—containing article in- cludes a cut top-loaded sheet productr in which a base layer comprises reconstituted aromatic plant parts, wherein the base Vlayer is provided on one side with aromatic plant parts; This cut top-loaded sheet t constitutes at least part of the aromatic plant parts. It can be mixed with tobacco and/or re— constituted o and optionally with additional aromatic plant parts.

If the ic plant parts are ed in a reconstituted sheet product, the size of the aromatic plant parts in the range of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm or of from 0.2 mm to 6 mm is to be Understood as the size of the aromatic plant part pieces used in the manufacturing process of the reconstituted sheet product. A reconstituted product is produced as generally known in the art.

In case the amount of natural aromas present in the aromatic plant parts is not sufficient for a specific design of a to— bacco—containing article, at least one flavourant in addition to the aromatic plant parts can be added, preferably as a liq— uid. An example is the on of menthol to achieve a super— aromatisation.

Typically, the aromatic plant parts can have a moisture of from 5% to 35%, preferably of from 5% to 20% or of from 7% to 12%, related to the total of the dry weight of the respective aromatic plant parts plus the moisture. After admixture to to— bacco, moisture generally equilibrates between the ic plant parts and the tobacco, e.g. within a closed packaging.

Cigarettes typically have a moisture of from 7% to 14%. Snus typically has a moisture in the order of 35%.

Concerning the tobacco in the tobacco-containing article, all kinds of conventional tobaccos and tobacco blends, optionally including reconstituted tobacco, can be used. Examples are an an blend or a Virginia blend.

The o-containing article is provided as a cigarette, e.g., as a full-flavour cigarette having a tar level depending on regulatory ceilings, as a light cigarette having a tar level of up to 7 mg or as an ultralight cigarette having a tar level of up to 2 mg, or as a cigarillo or as a cigar. In such embodiments, the tobacco and the ic plant parts are con- tained in the rod of the cigarette, cigarillo or cigar, respectively.

This does not exclude, however, that a filter also es tobacco and/or aromatic plant parts.

In different embodiments of the invention, the tobacco- containing article is provided in the form of pipe tobacco or in the form of fine-cut for self-made cigarettes, ed in a suitable enclosure. Self-made cigarettes are known as "RYO" (roll-your-own), which means that the consumer takes a n of fine-cut comprising tobacco and aromatic plant parts from a package, puts it on a cigarette paper (optionally with an additional filter), rolls the cigarette paper about the fine-cut and glues the seam of the cigarette paper. r type of self-made cigarettes is "MYO" (make-your-own), wherein t is taken from a package and filled into some apparatus which, upon operation by the consumer, tically or semiautomatically forms a finished smoking article.

If the tobacco-containing article is provided as a cigarette, cigarillo or cigar and comprises a rod, e.g. the rod of a cig- arette, the rod (which ses tobacco and aromatic plant parts) can be wrapped by a low-sidestream cigarette paper hav- – 8 – ing a base weight in the range of from 35 g/m² to 60 g/m², having a porosity of less than 15 CU and including a filler.

The filler comprises CaCO3 of at least 30% and/or MgO of at least 3% and/or Mg(OH)2 of at least 3%, the percentages being percent per weight of the tive compound, related to the total weight of the low-sidestream cigarette paper. 1 CU = 1 a unit = 1 ²∙min∙kPa).

The tobacco-containing article could also be provided in the form of snus, a product consumed by placing it under the lip for some period of time. Preferably, the snus comprising tobacco and aromatic plant parts is prepared in a grinded and sieved form. The snus parts can have a size range of, e.g., from 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm or from 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm.

In many applications, including embodiments already explained above, the tobacco-containing article comprises cut tobacco and/or cut sheet products. Generally, the cut width of the tobacco or the respective sheet product can be that of cut to- bacco in conventional tobacco-containing articles, e.g., 0.2 mm to 0.75 mm for fine cut tobacco, greater than 1.5 mm for pipe tobacco, or 0.6 mm to 0.9 mm for typical cigarettes. Such widths can also be suitable to the aromatic plant parts, when used in cut leaf form or cut sheet form.

In an advantageous method of manufacturing a tobaccocontaining e after cutting tobacco, aromatic plant parts, which do not derive from the tobacco plant and which have a size in the desired range, e.g., in the range of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm or in the range of from 0.2 mm to 6 mm, are added to the tobacco in an amount in the range of from 0.5% by weight to 25% by weight, related to the total weight of the tobacco and the aromatic plant parts.

That means that the tobacco or at least part of the tobacco is cut independently of the aromatic plant parts. Generally, it is conceivable that uncut, large aromatic plant parts are al— ready added to tobacco parts like leaves, ribs or stems or to a reconstituted o sheet before the cutting Step is per- formed. It is advantageous, however, when the ic plant parts are admixed relatively late in the process because they might release a strong aroma which tends to contaminate the manufacturing equipment.

‘For example, aromatic plant parts (preferably cut ones) can be added during treatment of the cut tobacco, e.g., during blend— ing or flavouring..

In the following, the invention is described in'more detail, also by means of examples.

Screening method In order to define reproducible sizes cf the aromatic plant parts, a screening method is used. This method is performed in y to DIN V 10376 of February 2005 ("Analysis of tobacco and tobacco products — Determination of size of the s of ~ cigars and cigarillos by means of sieve analysis").

To this end, the aromatic plant parts to be examined are moise ture-conditioned at a ve humidity of (70 i 2)% and at a temperature of (22 t 1)°C for 48 h. If the particles were too dry, they would break during g, which would deliver er- roneous results.

The moisture-conditioned aromatic plant parts are submitted to a stack of vibrating screens aCcording to DIN ISO 3310—1 hav- ing meshes of decreasing sizes. If the aromatic plant parts have a size distribution in a given range, virtually all of them will pass a screen having the upper limit of the range as the nominal mesh size, whereas the ic plant parts will not pass a screen having the lower limit of the range as the nominal mesh size. Individual aromatic plant parts g a mesh. diagonally' may' have a greater length than the l mesh size, but they are included by definition. On the other hand, the material used for the aromatic plant parts may in- clude some dust which even passes the smallest mesh size. This dust, by definition, is ered as not being a constituent of 'the aromatic plant parts. Its contribution is generally small.

Further details of the method follow from DIN V 10376. As al- ready mentioned, the present screening method is performed in analogy thereto, with the following differences.

For screening leaves, the screening machine performs horizon— tal vibrations of 15 mm with a frequency of 270/min for 5-min- 2O utes (instead of 10 minutes). Mesh sizes of 1.18 mm, 2.36 mm and 4 mm are used. For screening ates, the screening ma- chine runs for 1 minute, and mesh sizes of 1.6 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.5 mm, 0125 mm and 0 mm are used.

If a size distribution is to be determined with a higher accu- racy, a stack of several screens can be used. In case the num— ber of screens s the capability' of the screening’ ma- chine, the size distribution can be determined sequentially.

Examples for aromatic plant parts Generally, a large variety of plant species can be used as sources for the aromatic plant parts according to the inven- tion. Spearmint, mint, anise, rosemary, wintergreen, _11_ ginger, lemon myrtle, er, mate, avocado, ground coffee beans, sage as well as herbs and teas in general have already been mentioned above. Depending on the plant species, the ap— propriate plant parts may derive from leaves, blossoms, fruits, roots, bark, etc. Mixtures of aromatic plant _parts from different s are conceivable as well.

The following Table 1 includes a plurality of plant species which may be particularly useful for the purposes of the in— vention: Table 1 Examples for plant species as source for aromatic plant parts English Name Anise Pimpinella‘anisum Apple Malus Sylvestris Avocado Persea ana rry Arctostaphylos uva ursi Black current (folia) Ribes nigrum Cinnamon (cortex) Cinnamomum spec.

Coltsfoot ago farfara Damask rose (flores) Rosa centifolia Damiana leaves (folia) Turnera diffusa Dandelion blooms Taraxacum officinalis Elder (flores)" Sambucus nigra Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus German chamomile s) Matricaria chamomilla Ginger Zingiber officinale Gingko biloba Gingko biloba Hazelnut Corylus avellana Honeysuckle Lonicera spec.

Hop blooms (glandulae) Humulus lupulus Jasmine (flores) Jasminum officinale Lady's mantle Alchemilla vulgaris Lavender (flores) ula officinalis Lemon myrtle Backhousia citriodora Marshmallow herb (folia) Althaeae officinalis Maté ) Ilex paraguariensis MelisSa ) Melissa officinalis Mint leaves Mentha crispata Mullein (folia) Verbascum densiflorum Orange blossom (flores) Citrus aurantium Papaya CariCa papaya Passionflower (herba) Passiflora incarnata Peppermint Mentha ta Red clover s) Trifolium pratense Red willow Cornus amomum Robinia blossom (flores) Robinia pseudoacacia Rose petals Rosa Spec.

Rosemary (folia) Rosmarinus officinalis Sage Salvia officinalis, S. triloba Sculicap Scutellaria spec.

Spearmint Mentha a Summer savory (herba) Satureja hortensis Teas e.g., from Camellia sinensis Valerian root (radix) valeriana officinalis Vervain (herba) verbena odorata. wine leaves Vitis vinifera Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens Yerba buena Clinopodium douglasii Yerba santa Eriodictyon californica Example 1: Spearmint ‘5 Spearmint a spicata) ns some (but not much) men— thol, as well as carvone, pulegone, limonene and esters. 2012/005252 After equilibration at 22°C and 60% relative humidity, a sam- ple of Spearmint leaves had a relative moisture of 10.0%. Here and in the following, all ve moisture contents are re- lated to the total of the dry weight'(determined after oven treatment at 82°C for 3 h; "Horo" method) and the moisture.

From this sample, a mixture with American blend tobacco was ed, which contained 10% by weight of Spearmint leaves and 90% by weight of o. After equilibration at 30°C and 75% relative humidity, the mixture had a relative moisture of 18.5%. Under the same equilibration conditions, the pure to— bacco had a relative moisture of 19.1% and the pure Spearmint sample a relative moisture of 13.7%.

The size distribution of the leaves of two ent samples of spearmint leaves was determined by means of the screening method described above, using mesh sizes of 1.18 mm, 2.36 mm and 4 mm. In the first sample, about 2.6% by weight of the leaves did not pass the 4 mm mesh screen, about 27.3% by weig— ht did not pass the 2.36 mm mesh screen, about 57.2% by_weight did not pass the 1.18 mm mesh , and about 12.9% by weight passed the 1.18 mm mesh screen, the peak size being slightly more than 1.18 mm. In the second sample, the corre— sponding numbers were 10.2%, 63.1%, 24.8% and 2.0%, respec— tively, and the peak was at a leaf size of about 2 mm.

Example 2: Peppermint Peppermint (Mentha piperita) contains menthol, menthone, , tanning agents and flavonoids.

A sample of granulated peppermint, after equilibration at 22°C and 60% relative humidity, had a relative moisture of 8.6%.

WO 91844 The size distribution of the granules of this sample was de— termined by the screening method described above. Table 2 pre- sents the fraction of the total sample of 402.34 g retained by a screen of a given mesh size (mesh sizes of 1.6 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.25 mm and 0 mm).

Table 2 size distribution in a sample of granulated pepper- mint Mesh size [mm] Retained mass [g] Fraction [%] Table 2 shows that essentially all of the granules have a size in the range of from 0.25 mm to 1.2 mm. The contribution of the particles passing the 0.25 mm mesh (dust) is negligible.

The distribution peaks at about 0.5 mm.

Example 3: Spearmint, peppermint As Example 3, two other samples of Spearmint and peppermint were investigated. In both samples, the aromatic plant parts had a granular form. After bration at 22°C and 60% rela- tive humidity, the Spearmint sample had a relative re of 7.5% and the peppermint sample of 8.5%. -15_ The size butions of the granules, obtained as described above, are shown in Table 3.

Table 3 Size distributions in a sample of granulated spear— mint and in a sample of granulated peppermint l 6 l 2 In both samples, the granules essentially have sizes in the range of from 0.25 mm to 1.2 mm, peaking someWhere between 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm.

Example 4: Mixture of tobacco and Spearmint In Example 4, one of the Spearmint samples of Example 1 (that with the peak size of about 2 mm) was used to prepare virtu— ally homogeneous mixtures of int leaves and American blend tobacco. From mixtures ning 2%, 5%, 10% and 20% Spearmint by weight (related to the total weight of Spearmint and tobacco; ated. by: M81, M82, M83, and M84, respec- tively), filter cigarettes of 7.8 mm diameter with a ose acetate filter plug of 21 mm length and a tobacco/Spearmint rod of 62 mm length were made. Some constituents of the to— bacco/spearmint mixtures were analyzed. Moreover, properties WO 91844 of the cigarettes including smoke data (according to DIN ISO 4387/A) were measured. The results for the samples M81, M82, M83, and M84 as well as for a control sample CS (American blend tobacco without Spearmint) are summarised in Table 4.

The abbreviations used in Table 4 are explained at the end of Table 5 below.

It is evident from Table 4 that the tobacco nicotine (i.e. the ve amOunt of nicotine in. the mixture of tobacco and spearmintf decreases with increasing amount of Spearmint in the ‘mixture. There is also the tendency that smoke nicotine decreases when the contribution of Spearmint increases.

Moreover, with increasing amount of int, the hardness of the cigarette decreases somewhat (not shown in' Table 4) . _1'7_ Table 4 Data for. cigarettes made from mixtures of American blend tobacco and Spearmint Sample CS MS1 ‘ —-—— _--- —--n. mint mint _mmt mint —----m ——_-_m _-——-m Press. drop closed Pdc“ mmWG 129 __—— _--— Tobacco nicotine % d.b.t Nitrate Chloride Sacchrose (HPLC) % d.b.

Glucose (HPLC) % d.b.

Fructose (HPLC) % d.b.

Ash % d.b.

Tobacco pH Acid equivalents Propylene glycol Smoke nicotine WTPM NFDPM Puff number -18— Table 5 Data for ttes made from mixtures of American blend tobacco and black tea T82 T83 T34 ' AB+2% AB+5% AB+10% AB+20% Blend black tea black tea black tea black tea 7.8 x 7.8 x 7.8 x 7.8 x 7.8 x (22222) 222222 22222) 2222 22222) tte weight mg Pressure drop open Pdo' Press. drop closed Pdc” Tobacco nicotine Ammonia Nitrate Chloride ’ l % d.b.

Sacchrose (HPLC) % d.b.

Glucose (HPLC) ‘70. db.

Fructose (HPLC) % d.b.

' Tobacco pH Acid equivalents Propylene glycol Smoke nicotine WTPM NFDPM Puff number _ 19 _ Explanations to Tables 4 and 5 CS: Control sample 4: Spearmint samples 1-4 TS1-TS4: Black tea s Cigarette format: Standard King Size Cigarette with a cigarette paper of 60 a * Pressure drop measured with open filter wrapper perforation ' Pressure drop measured with closed filter wrapper perforation in mg KOH/g tobacco d.b.

AB: American Blend ‘ d.b.: dry base .1 mmWG: ' millimeter Water Gauge (ISO 10185) HPLC: High Performance Liquid Chromatography WTPM: Wet Total Particulate Matter (ISO' 10185) NFDPM: Nicotine Free Dry Particulate Matter (ISO 10185) Cig.: Cigarette - Example 5: Mixture of tobacco and black tea In Example 5, Virtually homogeneous mixtures of American blend tobacco and black tea (loose leaves) were ed. From mix— tures containing 2%, 5%r 10% and 20% black tea by weight (re—' lated to the total weight of black tea and tobacco; designated by T81, T82, T83, and T84, respectively), filter cigarettes of 7.8 mm diameter with a cellulose acetate filter plug of 21 mm length and a o/black tea rod of 62 mm length were made.

Some constituents of the tobacco/black tea mixtures were ana— lyzed. Moreover, properties of the cigarettes including smoke data ding to DIN ISO 4387/A) were measured. The s for the samples T81, T82, T53, and T84 as well as for a con— trol sample CS (American blend tobacco without black tea) are summarised in Table 5. The abbreviations used in Table 5 are explained at the end of the table.

Table 5 shows that the tobacco nicotine (i.e. the relative amount of nicotine in the e of tobacco and black tea) decreases with increasing amOunt of black tea in tie mixture.

Example 6: Storage behaviour The relative losses of flavour constituents from filter cigarettes made from mixtures of American blend tobacco and spear- mint according to Example 4 were investigated. To this end, cigarette boxes ning cigarettes comprising the mixtures M81 and M83 were stored for six months under different condi- tions, iie. as-a closed box in a refrigerator, as a closed box at room temperature and as an opened box at room ature.

Spearmint aroma constituents were determined by gas chromato- graphy before and after six months of storage.

Table 6 shows, for both mixtures M81 and M83, averages of the. absolute .amounts of the Spearmint aroma constituents before storage and of the relative losses (related to the initial s) after six months of storage.

Table 6 Aroma constituents in ttes containing American blend tobacco and Spearmint according to Example 4, '25 initially and relative loss after 6 months of storage Spearmint Initial constituent amount pg/Cig. 22.0 The results in Table 6 exhibit the following trends: The rela— tive losses of Spearmint constituents from closed boxes stored at room temperature and from closed boxes stored in a refrig- erator are similar. In case of opened packs stored at room temperature, the relative losses are significantly higher. For cigarettes with a r Spearmint contribution, the ve losses tend to be somewhat . Moreover, migration of the Spearmint constituents during the storage period resulted in: some aromav accumulation in- the cigarette filters (data not ' shown in Table 6).

Example 7: Mixture of tobacco and lemon myrtle In Example 7, lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) was used to prepare virtually homogeneous mixtures of lemon myrtle leaves and American blend tobacco. From mixtures containing 2%, %, % and 20% lemon myrtle by weight (related to' the total weight of lemon myrtle and tobacco), designated by LMl, LM2, LM3 and LM4, respectively, filter cigarettes of 7.8 mm diame— ter with a cellulose acetate filter plug of 25 mm length and a o/lemon myrtle rod of 58 mm in length were made. Some constituents of the o/lemon myrtle mixtures were ana- lysed. Moreover, properties of the cigarettes ing smoke data (according to DIN ISO 4387/A) were measured. The results for the samples LMl, LM2, LM3 and LM4 as well as for a control sample CS (American blend tobacco without lemon myrtle) are summarised in Table 7. The abbreviations used in Table 7 are ned at the end of Table 7.

It is evident from Table 7 that the tobacco nicotine (i.e. the relative amount of nicotine in the mixture of tobacco and lemon myrtle) decreases with increasing amount of lemon myrtle in the mixture. Any decrease of smoke nicotine was not ob- _35 served.

Table 7 Data for cigarettes made from es of American blend o and lemon myrtle _--- —---_- _——-—— _---I‘il2%LM5%LM 10%LM 20%LM _----- 58+25 58+25 58+25 58+25 58+25 Cigarette weight mgm 11.1 Pressure drop open Pdo* mmWG Pressure drop closed Pdc** mmWG Ventilation % _--_- —---- Toba'cco'nicotine - % d.b.

Ammonia % d.b.

Nitrate % d.b.

Chloride v % d.b.

Sacchrose (HPLC) % d.b.

Glucose (HPLC) °/o d.b.

Fructose (HPLC) % d.b.

Tobacco pH Acid equivalents Propylene Glycol' % d.b.

Smoke Data DIN ISO 4387/A Smoke nicotine mg/Cig.

WTPM ‘ mg/Cig.

NFDPM .

Puff Number CO mg/Cig.

Explanations to Tables 7 and 8 CS: Control Sample LM1—LM4: Lemon Myrtle samples 1-4 .. 23 _ 61-63: Ginger samples 1-3 * Pressure drop measured with open filter wrapper perforation ** re drop measured with closed filter wrapper perforation *** in mg KOH/g tobacco d.b.

AB: American Blend d.b.: dry base mmWG: millimeter Water Gauge (ISO 10185) HPLC: High Performance Liquid Chromatography WTPM: Wet Total Particulate Matter (ISO 10185) NFDPM: Nicotine Free Dry Particulate Matter (ISO 10185) Cig.: tte Example 8} Mixture of tobacco and ginger In Example 8, ginger (Zingiber officinale) was used to prepare virtually homogeneous mixtures of dried _rhizome parti- cles and American blend tobacco. From mixtures containing 2%, %, and 10% ginger by weight (related to the total weight of ginger and tobacco), 'designated by G1, G2 and G3, respec— y, filter cigarettes of 7.9 mm diameter with a ose acetate filter plug of 27 mm length and a tobacco/ginger rod of 56 mm in length were made. Some constituents of the to-' bacco/ginger mixtures were analysed. Moreover, properties of the ttes including smoke data (according to DIN ISO 4387/A) were measured. The results for the samples G1, G2 and G3 as well as for a control sample CS (American blend tobacco without ginger) are ised in Table 8. The abbreviations used in Table 8 are explained at the end of Table 7 above.

It is evident from Table 8 that the tobacco nicotine (i.e. the relative amount of nicotine in the mixture of tobacco and ginger ) decreases with increasing amount of ginger in the mix— ture. Any decrease of smoke nicotine was not observed.

Table 8 Data for cigarettes made from mixtures of American blend tobacco and ginger _-_— Gmer Giner G—iner _nr:n?—-56+27 56+27 56+27 56+27 mumm- Tobacco nicotine Ammonia Nitrate Chloride Sacchrose (HPLC) Glucose (HPLC) Fructose (HPLC) Tobacco pH Acid equivalents ene Glycol Smoke nicotine WTPM NFDPM Puff Number ExamEle 9: Mixture of tobacco and lavender Cigarettes containing 2% and 5% of lavender (Lavandula offici- nalis) blossoms ed to the total weight of lavender and o) were produced according to Example 4. The cigarettes were-smoked by an expert panel to evaluate their taste proper- ties. While the 2%-lavender sample was judged to have a slightly soapy and perfume-like taste, lavender taste was clearly identified in the 5%-sample.

Both versions _were also e—smoked in an. experimental ess—steel Chamber. After smoking was finished, the air in the closed r was thoroughly mixed by fans. A d smell panel was asked to evaluate the smoke in the chamber us- ing a standard questionnaire. It was found that smoke inten- sity remained unchanged compared to a standard cigarette while -the smoke smell was judged to be less intense and more pleas- ant for the 2%—lavender sample. A similar effect was noted for the 5%—sample, but in st to the 2%—sample, a distinct lavender smell was also recognized.

Example 10: Tobacco/lavender with low—sidestream paper Cigarettes containing 2% lavender ms ed to the to— tal weight of lavender and tobacco) were produced according to Examples 4 and 5, but instead of a conventional cigarette pa— per, a low—sidestream (LSS) cigarette paper was used. The pa- per had a porosity of 6 CU, a base weight of 45 g/m2 and a filler content of 45% calcite. 1 CU = 1 Coresta unit = 1 ml/(cmz-min-kPa).

The smoke smell in an experimental chamber was evaluated as in Example 9. The panel found that not only smoke intensity was reduced compared to a conventional cigarette but also the smoke smell was more pleasant and less irritating.

Claims (20)

Claims

1. Tobacco-containing article, comprising - tobacco and 5 - aromatic plant parts, which do not derive from the tobacco plant, - wherein the amount of the aromatic plant parts is in the range of from 0.5% by weight to 25% by weight, related to the total weight of the tobacco and the aromatic plant 10 parts, - wherein the tobacco-containing article is provided as one of the following o-containing articles: a cigarette , a cigarillo, a cigar, pipe tobacco, fine-cut for self-made cigarettes, 15 - wherein the aromatic plant parts comprise at least one of the substances selected from the following list: spearmint , peppermint, anise, rosemary, wintergreen, avocado, lavender, mate, ginger, lemon myrtle, and - wherein the aromatic plant parts have a size, defined by 20 a screening method, in the range of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm.

2. Tobacco-containing article according to claim 1, wherein the ic plant parts have a size in the range of from 0.2 mm to 6 mm.

3. Tobacco-containing article according to claim 1 or claim 2, n at least part of the tobacco and of the aromatic plant parts are included in a combined e. 30

4. Tobacco-containing article ing to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least part of the tobacco comprises reconstituted tobacco.

5. Tobacco-containing article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least part of the ic plant parts comprises a reconstituted t.

6. Tobacco-containing article ing to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least part of the tobacco and of the aromatic plant parts are included in a combined reconstituted product.

7. Tobacco-containing article ing to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least part of the aromatic plant parts is provided in the form of granules. 15 8. Tobacco-containing article according to claim 7, wherein the granules are of a size in the range of from 0.2 mm to

0.5 mm or from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

9. Tobacco-containing article according to claim 8, wherein 20 at least part of the granules consists of pressed aromatic plant parts without further additives.

10. Tobacco-containing article according to claim 9, wherein at least part of the granules consists of pressed aromatic 25 plant parts and additional water without further additives

11. Tobacco-containing article ing to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a cut aded sheet product, in which a base layer comprises reconstituted tobacco, where- 30 in the base layer is provided on one side with aromatic plant parts.

12. Tobacco-containing article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a cut top-loaded sheet product, in which a base layer ses reconstituted aromatic plant 5 parts, wherein the base layer is provided on one side with aromatic plant parts.

13. Tobacco-containing article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising at least one flavourant in ad- 10 dition to the aromatic plant parts.

14 Tobacco-containing e according to claim 13, wherein the at least one flavourant in addition to the aromatic plant parts are added as a liquid.

15. Tobacco-containing article according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the tobacco comprises an American blend or a ia blend. 20

16. o-containing article according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the aromatic plant parts have a moisture of from 5% to 35%, or from 5% to 20% or from 7% to 12%, related to the dry weight of the respective aromatic plant parts plus the moisture.

17. Tobacco-containing article according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the tobacco-containing article comprises a rod, which is wrapped by a low-sidestream cigarette paper having a base weight in the range of from 35 g/m² to 30 60 g/m², having a porosity of less than 15 CU and comprising a , wherein the filler comprises at least one of the compounds selected from the following list: CaCO3 of at least 30%, MgO of at least 3%, Mg(OH)2 of at least 3%, the percentages being percent per weight of the respective compound, related to the total weight of the low- 5 sidestream cigarette paper.

18. Method of manufacturing a o-containing article ing to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein, after g tobacco, aromatic plant parts, which do not derive 10 from the tobacco plant are added to the tobacco in an amount in the range of from 0.5% by weight to 25% by weight, related to the total weight of the tobacco and the aromatic plant parts, wherein the ic plant parts comprise at least one of the substances selected from the 15 following list: spearmint, peppermint, anise, rosemary, wintergreen, avocado, lavender, mate, ginger, lemon myrtle.

19. Method ing to claim 18, wherein the aromatic plant 20 parts, which do not derive from the tobacco plant, have a size defined by a screening method in the range of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm or in the range of from 0.2 mm to 6 mm.

20. Method according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein aromatic 25 plant parts are added during treatment of the cut tobacco.