Process for producing tobacco structures
First Claim
1. A process for the production of coherent tobacco structures of coarsely comminuted tobaccO materials, in particular ribs and wastes, which are moistened and kneaded to form a dough-like mass which is then shaped to form leaflike structures, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of:
- a. comminuting the starting tobacco material to a particulate size of approximately 150 to 200 Mu m;
b. moistening the comminuted tobacco by mixing with a liquid in a weight ratio of 1;
1.1 to 1;
1.5 tobacco to liquid;
c. kneading the moistened tobacco material to form a dough-like mass;
d. directly applying the dough-like mass to a transport belt in individual, separate portions to form spaced pieces; and
e. then spreading the portions on the transport belt under relatively low compression pressures up to a maximum of approximately 20 kg/cm2 to form individual flakes by means of a spreading belt which runs in the same direction as the transport belt and at a speed slightly slower than the transport belt.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process and device for the production of coherent tobacco structures of coarse comminuted tobacco materials, in particular ribs and wastes, wherein the starting tobacco material is comminuted in a coarse grinding device to a particulate size of approximately 150-200 Mu m; moistened with a liquid, consisting of an alkali and/or silicic acid sol, in a weight ratio of approximately 1:1.1 to 1:1.5 tobacco to liquid; kneaded in a mixing device to form a dough-like mass which is then shaped to form leaf-like structures; and applied in dosed amounts to a plastic transport belt whereupon the separate portions are spread under pressures up to a maximum of approximately 20 kg/cm2 (approx. 284.4 psi) to form individual flakes by means of a plastic spreading belt which runs in the same direction as the transport belt, but at a somewhat slower speed.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A process for the production of coherent tobacco structures of coarsely comminuted tobaccO materials, in particular ribs and wastes, which are moistened and kneaded to form a dough-like mass which is then shaped to form leaflike structures, wherein the improvement comprises the steps of:
- a. comminuting the starting tobacco material to a particulate size of approximately 150 to 200 Mu m;
b. moistening the comminuted tobacco by mixing with a liquid in a weight ratio of 1;
1.1 to 1;
1.5 tobacco to liquid;
c. kneading the moistened tobacco material to form a dough-like mass;
d. directly applying the dough-like mass to a transport belt in individual, separate portions to form spaced pieces; and
e. then spreading the portions on the transport belt under relatively low compression pressures up to a maximum of approximately 20 kg/cm2 to form individual flakes by means of a spreading belt which runs in the same direction as the transport belt and at a speed slightly slower than the transport belt.
- a. comminuting the starting tobacco material to a particulate size of approximately 150 to 200 Mu m;
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2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the moistening liquid comprises a liquid which softens the tobacco material and which is selected from the group consisting of an alkali, and a silicic acid sol.
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3. A process according to claim 1, wherein the spreading belt is of plastic.
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4. A process according to claim 3, wherein the transport belt and/or the spreading belt is driven by several small rollers driven by the same motor and whose mutual spaced relation can be adjusted.
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5. A process according to claim 1, wherein the tobacco flakes are separated from the belt by external heating and/or treatment with a lubricant.
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6. A process according to claim 5 wherein the lubricant is selected from the group consisting of diethylene glycol, glycerin, silicon oil and combinations thereof.
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7. A process according to claim 1 wherein the tobacco flakes are transferred from the transport belt to a plastic conveyor belt and then dried thereupon.
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8. A process according to claim 1 wherein the size of the portions is selected such that tobacco flakes are formed which can be directly used as a cigar filler without subsequent comminution.
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9. A process according to claim 1 wherein the size of the portions is selected such that tobacco flakes are produced which can be mixed to form cigarette tobacco without subsequent comminution and can be fed into a conventional cutting machine for cigarette tobacco.
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10. A process according to claim 1 wherein the kneaded mass is extruded through a perforated plate and is subsequently reduced in size to form pieces approximately 3 mm in diameter and approximately 5 mm in length.
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11. A process according to claim 1 wherein the size of the portions is selected such that tobacco flakes are produced which have an area of about 1 cm2.
Specification