[0001] The invention relates to a tobacco-containing article and to a method of manufacturing
a tobacco-containing article.
[0002] Tobacco-containing articles, like cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars or fine-cut products
for self-made cigarettes and snus products, are often aromatised 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.
[0003] A disadvantage of this kind of conventional flavouring is the volatility and tendency
to loss of many flavourants.
[0004] 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 capsule. In this way, it is possible to use volatile flavourants,
but the tobacco-containing article in question is more expensive.
[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a tobacco-containing article which can
offer to the consumer new taste and flavour experiences but, nevertheless, involves
moderate manufacturing expenses only.
[0006] This object is achieved by a tobacco-containing article having the features of claim
1. Claim 18 relates to a method of manufacturing such a tobacco-containing article.
Advantageous versions of the invention follow from the dependant claims.
[0007] The tobacco-containing article according to the invention comprises tobacco and aromatic
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.
[0008] In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the aromatic plant parts have a size
in the range of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm or in the range of from 0.2 mm to 6 mm. The size
of the aromatic plant parts is defined by a screening method, which is described in
detail further below. Shortly, the aromatic plant parts are submitted to a series
of vibrating screens according 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 upper 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 aromatic plant parts may include some
dust which even passes the smallest 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 total 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.
[0009] 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 aromatic 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%.
[0010] The tobacco-containing article according to the invention is an aromatised tobacco
product, in which the aromatic plant parts are natural 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 alcoholic extracts, is not required, thus avoiding alcoholic constituents.
Generally, 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.
[0011] Since the aromatic 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 flavourants
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 treated with a liquid aroma concentrate.
[0012] Due to the presence of a significant amount of aromatic plant parts in addition to
the tobacco, the relative amount of tobacco is smaller than in a conventional tobacco
product. In a cigarette, cigarillo or cigar, this results in a dilution effect 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 stronger, although less nicotine is present.
[0013] 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.
[0014] The visual appearance of the aromatic plant parts, which in many applications 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.
[0015] In advantageous embodiments of the tobacco-containing article according to the invention,
the aromatic plant parts comprise herbs, teas, spearmint, peppermint, anise, sage,
rosemary, wintergreen, avocado, ground coffee beans, or any mixtures thereof. For
example, spearmint or peppermint causes a pleasant aroma. A detailed (but not exclusive)
list of plants delivering suitable aromatic plant parts is given further below.
[0016] In the tobacco-containing article, at least part of the tobacco and of the aromatic
plant parts can be included 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 generally homogeneous
mixture.
[0017] It is also possible that at least part of the tobacco comprises reconstituted tobacco.
Sheets of reconstituted 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.
[0018] Moreover, it is conceivable to make a reconstituted product 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.
[0019] In another 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 the aromatic plant parts are included
in a combined reconstituted product, which can be cut to the desired size.
[0020] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least part of the aromatic plant
parts is provided in the form of granules, 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.
[0021] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tobacco-containing article
includes a cut top-loaded sheet product, in which a base layer comprises or is made
of reconstituted tobacco, wherein the base layer is provided on one side with aromatic
plant parts.
WO 03/082030 A discloses a method of manufacturing a top-loaded sheet product, in this case a top-loaded
cigarette filler, in which a base layer on a basis of a fine fraction of tobacco and
cellulose fibres is provided on one side with a fraction of course tobacco, wherein
the assembly is subjected to a drying treatment. In an analogous manner, a base layer
comprising reconstituted tobacco can be provided on one side with aromatic plant parts,
and after drying this top-loaded sheet product is cut to pieces of the desired size.
[0022] It is also conceivable that the tobacco-containing article includes a cut top-loaded
sheet product, in which a base layer comprises reconstituted aromatic plant parts,
wherein the base layer is provided on one side with aromatic plant parts. This cut
top-loaded sheet product constitutes at least part of the aromatic plant parts. It
can be mixed with tobacco and/or reconstituted tobacco and optionally with additional
aromatic plant parts.
[0023] If the aromatic plant parts are included 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.
[0024] In case the amount of natural aromas present in the aromatic plant parts is not sufficient
for a specific design of a tobacco-containing article, at least one flavourant in
addition to the aromatic plant parts can be added, preferably as a liquid. An example
is the addition of menthol to achieve a super-aromatisation.
[0025] 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 tobacco,
moisture generally equilibrates between the aromatic plant parts and the tobacco,
e.g. within a closed packaging. Cigarettes typically have a moisture of from 7% to
14%, snus in the order of 35%.
[0026] 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 American blend or a Virginia blend.
[0027] The tobacco-containing article according to the invention can be 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.
[0028] In different embodiments, the tobacco-containing article is provided in the form
of pipe tobacco or in the form of fine-cut for self-made cigarettes, packaged in a
suitable enclosure. Self-made cigarettes are known as "RYO" (roll-your-own), which
means that the consumer takes a portion 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. Another type of self-made cigarettes is "MYO" (make-your-own), wherein fine-cut
is taken from a package and filled into some apparatus which, upon operation by the
consumer; automatically or semi-automatically forms a finished smoking article.
[0029] The tobacco-containing article according to the invention can 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.
[0030] 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 tobacco 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.
[0031] In an advantageous method of manufacturing a tobacco-containing article according
to the invention, 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 already added
to tobacco parts like leaves, ribs or stems or to a reconstituted tobacco sheet before
the cutting step is performed. It is advantageous, however, when the aromatic plant
parts are admixed relatively late in the process because they might release a strong
aroma which tends to contaminate the manufacturing equipment.
[0032] For example, aromatic plant parts (preferably cut ones) can be added during treatment
of the cut tobacco, e.g., during blending or flavouring.
[0033] In the following, the invention is described in more detail, also by means of examples.
Screening method
[0034] In order to define reproducible sizes of the aromatic plant parts, a screening method
is used. This method is performed in analogy to DIN V 10376 of February 2005 ("Analysis
of tobacco and tobacco products - Determination of size of the fillers of cigars and
cigarillos by means of sieve analysis").
[0035] To this end, the aromatic plant parts to be examined are moisture-conditioned at
a relative humidity of (70 ± 2)% and at a temperature of (22 ± 1) °C for 48 h. If
the particles were too dry, they would break during sieving, which would deliver erroneous
results.
[0036] The moisture-conditioned aromatic plant parts are submitted to a stack of vibrating
screens according to DIN ISO 3310-1 having 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 aromatic plant parts will not pass a screen having the lower limit of the range
as the nominal mesh size. Individual 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 aromatic plant parts may include some
dust which even passes the smallest mesh size. This dust, by definition, is considered
as not being a constituent of the aromatic plant parts. Its contribution is generally
small.
[0037] Further details of the method follow from DIN V 10376. As already mentioned, the
present screening method is performed in analogy thereto, with the following differences.
[0038] For screening leaves, the screening machine performs horizontal vibrations of 15
mm with a frequency of 270/min for 5 minutes (instead of 10 minutes). Mesh sizes of
1.18 mm, 2.36 mm and 4 mm are used. For screening granulates, the screening machine
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,
0.25 mm and 0 mm are used.
[0039] If a size distribution is to be determined with a higher accuracy, a stack of several
screens can be used. In case the number of screens exceeds the capability of the screening
machine, the size distribution can be determined sequentially.
Examples for aromatic plant parts
[0040] Generally, a large variety of plant species can be used as sources for the aromatic
plant parts according to the invention. Herbs and teas in general, and more specific
spearmint, peppermint, anise, sage, rosemary, wintergreen, avocado, and ground coffee
beans have already been mentioned above. Depending on the plant species, the appropriate
plant parts may derive from leaves, blossoms, fruits, roots, bark, etc. Mixtures of
aromatic plant parts from different species are conceivable as well.
[0041] The following Table 1 includes a plurality of plant species which may be particularly
useful for the purposes of the invention:
Table 1 Examples for plant species as source for aromatic plant parts
English Name |
Latin Name |
Apple |
Malus sylvestris |
Bearberry |
Arctostaphylos uva ursi |
Black current (folia) |
Ribes nigrum |
Cinnamon (cortex) |
Cinnamomum spec. |
Coltsfoot |
Tussilago farfara |
Damask rose (flores) |
Rosa centifolia |
Damiana leaves (folia) |
Turnera diffusa |
Dandelion blooms |
Taraxacum officinalis |
Elder (flores) |
Sambucus nigra |
Eucalyptus |
Eucalyptus globulus |
German chamomile (flores) |
Matricaria chamomilla |
Gingko biloba |
Gingko biloba |
Hazelnut |
Corylus avellana |
Honeysuckle |
Loni cera spec. |
Hop blooms (glandulae) |
Humulus lupulus |
Jasmine (flores) |
Jasminum officinale |
Lady's mantle |
Alchemilla vulgaris |
Lavender (flores) |
Lavandula officinalis |
Marshmallow herb (folia) |
Althaeae officinalis |
Maté tea (folia) |
Ilex paraguariensis |
Melissa (folia) |
Melissa officinalis |
Mint leaves |
Mentha crispata |
Mullein (folia) |
Verbascum densiflorum |
Orange blossom (flores) |
Citrus aurantium |
Papaya |
Carica papaya |
Passionflower (herba) |
Passiflora incarnata |
Peppermint |
Mentha piperita |
Red clover (flores) |
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 spicata |
Summer savory (herba) |
Satureja hortensis |
Teas |
e.g., from Camellia sinensis |
Valerian root (radix) |
Valeriana officinalis |
Vervain (herba) |
Verbena odorata |
Wine leaves |
Vitis vinifera |
Yerba buena |
Clinopodium douglasii |
Yerba santa |
Eriodictyon californica |
Example 1: Spearmint
[0042] Spearmint (
Mentha spicata) contains some (but not much) menthol, as well as carvone, pulegone, limonene and
esters.
[0043] After equilibration at 22 °C and 60% relative humidity, a sample of spearmint leaves
had a relative moisture of 10.0%. Here and in the following, all relative moisture
contents are related to the total of the dry weight (determined after oven treatment
at 82 °C for 3 h; "Horo" method) and the moisture.
[0044] From this sample, a mixture with American blend tobacco was prepared, which contained
10% by weight of spearmint leaves and 90% by weight of tobacco. 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 tobacco had a relative moisture of 19.1%
and the pure spearmint sample a relative moisture of 13.7%.
[0045] The size distribution of the leaves of two different 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 weight did not pass the 2.36 mm
mesh screen, about 57.2% by weight did not pass the 1.18 mm mesh screen, 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 corresponding numbers were 10.2%, 63.1%, 24.8%
and 2.0%, respectively, and the peak was at a leaf size of about 2 mm.
Example 2: Peppermint
[0046] Peppermint (
Mentha piperita) contains menthol, menthone, cineol, tanning agents and flavonoids.
[0047] A sample of granulated peppermint, after equilibration at 22 °C and 60% relative
humidity, had a relative moisture of 8.6%.
[0048] The size distribution of the granules of this sample was determined by the screening
method described above. Table 2 presents 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 peppermint
Mesh size [mm] |
Retained mass [g] |
Fraction [%] |
1.6 |
0.05 |
0.01 |
1.4 |
0.35 |
0.09 |
1.2 |
19.79 |
4.92 |
1.0 |
67.75 |
16.84 |
0.8 |
98.50 |
24.48 |
0.5 |
163.15 |
40.55 |
0.25 |
51.20 |
12.73 |
0 |
1.55 |
0.39 |
|
402.34 |
100.00 |
[0049] 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
[0050] As Example 3, two other samples of spearmint and peppermint were investigated. In
both samples, the aromatic plant parts had a granular form. After equilibration at
22 °C and 60% relative humidity, the spearmint sample had a relative moisture of 7.5%
and the peppermint sample of 8.5%.
[0051] The size distributions of the granules, obtained as described above, are shown in
Table 3.
Table 3 Size distributions in a sample of granulated spearmint and in a sample of granulated
peppermint
Mesh size [mm] |
Spearmint |
Peppermint |
|
Fraction [%] |
Fraction [%] |
1.6 |
0.04 |
0.02 |
1.4 |
0.02 |
0.08 |
1.2 |
0.12 |
0.28 |
1.0 |
10.00 |
15.56 |
-0.8 |
43.78 |
39.94 |
0.5 |
43.69 |
41.06 |
0.25 |
2.31 |
3.04 |
0 |
0.04 |
0.04 |
|
100.00 |
100.00 |
[0052] 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
[0053] In Example 4, one of the spearmint samples of Example 1 (that with the peak size
of about 2 mm) was used to prepare virtually homogeneous mixtures of spearmint leaves
and American blend tobacco. From mixtures containing 2%, 5%, 10% and 20% spearmint
by weight (related to the total weight of spearmint and tobacco; designated by MS1,
MS2, MS3, and MS4, respectively), filter cigarettes of 7.8 mm diameter with a cellulose
acetate filter plug of 21 mm length and a tobacco/spearmint rod of 62 mm length were
made. Some constituents of the tobacco/spearmint mixtures were analyzed. Moreover,
properties of the cigarettes including smoke data (according to DIN ISO 4387/A) were
measured. The results for the samples MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS4 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.
[0054] It is evident from Table 4 that the tobacco nicotine (i.e. the relative amount of
nicotine in the mixture of tobacco and spearmint) decreases with increasing amount
of spearmint in the mixture. There is also the tendency that smoke nicotine decreases
when the contribution of spearmint increases.
[0055] Moreover, with increasing amount of spearmint, the hardness of the cigarette decreases
somewhat (not shown in Table 4).
Table 4 Data for cigarettes made from mixtures of American blend tobacco and spearmint
Sample |
|
CS |
MS1 |
MS2 |
MS3 |
MS4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Physical Data |
Units |
|
|
|
|
|
Blend |
|
AB |
AB + 2% mint |
AB + 5% mint |
AB + 10% mint |
AB + 20% mint |
Format |
mm |
7.8 x (62+21) |
7.8 x (62+21) |
7.8 x (62+21) |
7.8 x (62+21) |
7.8 x (62+21) |
Cigarette weight |
mg |
844 |
845 |
847 |
842 |
825 |
Oven Horo moisture |
% |
12.0 |
12.1 |
11.9 |
11.7 |
11.4 |
Diameter |
mm |
7.80 |
7.80 |
7.82 |
7.83 |
7.83 |
Pressure drop filter |
mmWG |
67.9 |
67.9 |
68.5 |
68.9 |
67.9 |
Pressure drop open Pdo* |
mmWG |
82 |
80 |
79 |
81 |
82 |
Press. drop closed Pdc** |
mmWG |
129 |
124 |
123 |
126 |
129 |
Ventilation |
% |
46.1 |
46.7 |
47.0 |
46.8 |
46.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tobacco Data |
Units |
|
|
|
|
|
Tobacco nicotine |
% d.b. |
2.30 |
2.29 |
2.19 |
1.98 |
1.80 |
Ammonia |
% d.b. |
0.17 |
0.17 |
0.17 |
0.16 |
0.15 |
Nitrate |
% d.b. |
1.02 |
1.09 |
0.99 |
0.94 |
0.92 |
Chloride |
% d.b. |
0.77 |
0.81 |
0.77 |
0.80 |
0.77 |
Sacchrose (HPLC) |
% d.b. |
1.6 |
1.7 |
1.7 |
1.7 |
1.8 |
Glucose (HPLC) |
% d.b. |
2.9 |
2.8 |
2.6 |
2.6 |
2.4 |
Fructose (HPLC) |
% d.b. |
4.2 |
4.2 |
3.9 |
3.9 |
3.6 |
Ash |
% d.b. |
15.6 |
15.6 |
15.5 |
15.5 |
15.1 |
Tobacco pH |
|
5.43 |
5.40 |
5.47 |
5.53 |
5.60 |
Acid equivalents |
*** |
11.7 |
11.5 |
10.9 |
10.0 |
9.0 |
Propylene glycol |
% d.b. |
1.1 |
1.1 |
1.1 |
1.1 |
0.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Smoke Data (DIN ISO 4387/A) |
Units |
|
|
|
|
|
Smoke nicotine |
mg/Cig. |
0.65 |
0.65 |
0.64 |
0.63 |
0.58 |
WTPM |
mg/Cig. |
8.0 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
8.1 |
8.0 |
NFDPM |
mg/Cig. |
6.5 |
6.5 |
6.6 |
6.8 |
6.6 |
Puff number |
|
7.3 |
7.3 |
7.3 |
7.3 |
7.0 |
CO |
mg/Cig. |
7.2 |
6.9 |
6.9 |
7.4 |
7.1 |
Table 5 Data for cigarettes made from mixtures of American blend tobacco and black tea
Sample |
|
CS |
TS1 |
TS2 |
TS3 |
TS4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Physical Data |
Units |
|
|
|
|
|
Blend |
|
AB |
AB + 2% black tea |
AB + 5% black tea |
AB + 10% black tea |
AB + 20% black tea |
Format |
mm |
7.8 x (62+21) |
7.8 x (62+21) |
7.8 x (62+21) |
7.8 x (62+21) |
7.8 x (62+21) |
Cigarette weight |
mg |
844 |
847 |
846 |
847 |
842 |
Oven Horo moisture |
% |
12.0 |
11.8 |
11.7 |
11.5 |
10.9 |
Pressure drop open Pdo* |
mmWG |
82 |
79 |
79 |
78 |
75 |
Press. drop closed Pdc** |
mmWG |
129 |
125 |
122 |
119 |
111 |
Ventilation |
% |
46.1 |
47.3 |
46.7 |
45.9 |
44.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tobacco Data |
Units |
|
|
|
|
|
Tobacco nicotine |
% d.b. |
2.30 |
2.20 |
2.24 |
2.11 |
1.89 |
Ammonia |
% d.b. |
0.17 |
0.17 |
0.16 |
0.16 |
0.15 |
Nitrate |
% d.b. |
1.02 |
1.02 |
1.13 |
0.96 |
0.95 |
Chloride |
% d.b. |
0.77 |
0.76 |
0.75 |
0.70 |
0.68 |
Sacchrose (HPLC) |
% d.b. |
1.6 |
1.7 |
1.7 |
1.6 |
1.5 |
Glucose (HPLC) |
% d.b. |
2.9 |
2.6 |
2.6 |
2.7 |
2.4 |
Fructose (HPLC) |
% d.b. |
4.2 |
3.9 |
3.9 |
3.9 |
3.5 |
Tobacco pH |
|
5.43 |
5.47 |
5.48 |
5.46 |
5.45 |
Acid equivalents |
*** |
11.3 |
11.3 |
11.0 |
11.0 |
10.5 |
Propylene glycol |
% d.b. |
1.1 |
1.1 |
1.2 |
1.1 |
0.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Smoke Data (DIN ISO 4387/A) |
Units |
|
|
|
|
|
Smoke nicotine |
mg/Cig. |
0.65 |
0.63 |
0.65 |
0.68 |
0.70 |
WTPM |
mg/Cig. |
8.0 |
8.1 |
8.2 |
8.4 |
9.1 |
NFDPM |
mg/Cig. |
6.5 |
6.7 |
6.8 |
7.1 |
7.7 |
Puff number |
|
7.3 |
7.2 |
7.3 |
7.4 |
7.6 |
CO |
mg/Cig. |
7.2 |
7.1 |
6.9 |
7.0 |
6.9 |
Explanations to Tables 4 and 5
[0056]
- CS:
- Control sample
- MS1-MS4:
- Spearmint samples 1-4
- TS1-TS4:
- Black tea samples
- Cigarette format:
- Standard King Size Cigarette with a cigarette paper of 60 Coresta
- *
- 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
- 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
[0057] In Example 5, virtually homogeneous mixtures of American blend tobacco and black
tea (loose leaves) were prepared. From mixtures containing 2%, 5%, 10% and 20% black
tea by weight (related to the total weight of black tea and tobacco; designated by
TS1, TS2, TS3, and TS4, respectively), filter cigarettes of 7.8 mm diameter with a
cellulose acetate filter plug of 21 mm length and a tobacco/black tea rod of 62 mm
length were made. Some constituents of the tobacco/black tea mixtures were analyzed.
Moreover, properties of the cigarettes including smoke data (according to DIN ISO
4387/A) were measured. The results for the samples TS1, TS2, TS3, and TS4 as well
as for a control 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.
[0058] Table 5 shows that the tobacco nicotine (i.e. the relative amount of nicotine in
the mixture of tobacco and black tea) decreases with increasing amount of black tea
in the mixture.
Example 6: Storage behaviour
[0059] The relative losses of flavour constituents from filter cigarettes made from mixtures
of American blend tobacco and spearmint according to Example 4 were investigated.
To this end, cigarette boxes containing cigarettes comprising the mixtures MS1 and
MS3 were stored for six months under different conditions, i.e. as a closed box in
a refrigerator, as a closed box at room temperature and as an opened box at room temperature.
Spearmint aroma constituents were determined by gas chromatography before and after
six months of storage.
[0060] Table 6 shows, for both mixtures MS1 and MS3, averages of the absolute amounts of
the spearmint aroma constituents before storage and of the relative losses (related
to the initial amounts) after six months of storage.
Table 6 Aroma constituents in cigarettes containing American blend tobacco and spearmint
according to Example 4, initially and relative loss after 6 months of storage
Spearmint constituent |
Initial amount µg/Cig. |
6 m. refrig. clos. loss% |
6 m. room clos. loss% |
6 m. room open loss% |
Initial amount µg/Cig. |
6 m. refrig. clos. loss% |
6 m. room clos. loss% |
6 m. room open loss% |
|
MS1 |
MS3 |
Pulegone |
23.7 |
16.5 |
18.3 |
43.0 |
150.0 |
19.2 |
13.6 |
41.2 |
Carvone |
103.1 |
24.8 |
22.0 |
31.0 |
555.6 |
23.8 |
18.1 |
45.6 |
The results in Table 6 exhibit the following trends: The relative losses of spearmint
constituents from closed boxes stored at room temperature and from closed boxes stored
in a refrigerator are similar. In case of opened packs stored at room temperature,
the relative losses are significantly higher. For cigarettes with a greater spearmint
contribution, the relative losses tend to be somewhat higher. Moreover, migration
of the spearmint constituents during the storage period resulted in some aroma accumulation
in the cigarette filters (data not shown in Table 6).
1. 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 aromatic plant
parts.
2. Tobacco-containing article according to claim 1, characterised in that the aromatic plant parts have a size, defined by a screening method, in the range
of from 0.1 mm to 10 mm.
3. Tobacco-containing article according to claim 2, characterised in that the aromatic plant parts have a size in the range of from 0.2 mm to 6 mm.
4. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the aromatic plant parts comprise at least one of the substances selected from the
following list: herbs, teas, spearmint, peppermint, anise, sage, rosemary, wintergreen,
avocado, ground coffee beans.
5. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least part of the tobacco and of the aromatic plant parts are included in a combined
mixture.
6. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least part of the tobacco comprises reconstituted tobacco.
7. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that at least part of the aromatic plant parts comprises a reconstituted product.
8. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least part of the tobacco and of the aromatic plant parts are included in a combined
reconstituted product.
9. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that at least part of the aromatic plant parts is provided.in the form of granules, preferably
of a size in the range of from 0.2 mm to 5 mm or from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm.
10. Tobacco-containing article according to claim 9, characterised in that at least part of the granules consists of pressed aromatic plant parts and optionally
additional water, without further additives.
11. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 10, characterised by a cut top-loaded sheet product, in which a base layer comprises reconstituted tobacco,
wherein the base layer is provided on one side with aromatic plant parts.
12. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 11, characterised by a cut top-loaded sheet product, in which a base layer comprises reconstituted aromatic
plant parts, wherein the base layer is provided on one side with aromatic plant parts.
13. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 12, characterised by at least one flavourant in addition to the aromatic plant parts, preferably added
as a liquid.
14. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the tobacco comprises an American blend or a Virginia blend.
15. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the aromatic plant parts have a moisture of from 5% to 35%, preferably of from 5%
to 20% or from 7% to 12%, related to the dry weight of the respective aromatic plant
parts plus the moisture.
16. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the tobacco-containing article is provided as one of the following tobacco-containing
articles: a cigarette, a light cigarette having a tar level of up to 7 mg, an ultralight
cigarette having a tar level of up to 2 mg, a cigarillo, a cigar.
17. Tobacco-containing article according to anyone of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the tobacco-containing article is provided in one of the following forms: pipe tobacco,
fine-cut for self-made cigarettes, snus, snus in the range of from 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm,
snus in the range of from 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm.
18. Method of manufacturing a tobacco-containing article according to claim 1, wherein,
after cutting tobacco, aromatic plant parts, which do not derive from the tobacco
plant and which, preferably, 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, 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.
19. Method according to claim 18, characterised in that aromatic plant parts are added during treatment of the cut tobacco.