US3867951A - Tobacco substitute - Google Patents

Abstract

A non-tobacco plant smoking substitute material is disclosed having a low wood content or having no wood content. The smokable tobacco substitute can be worked by the technological methods customary in the tobacco industry and is characterized in that a homogeneous paste is produced from leaves, blossoms, stems fruits, shells, tubers or similar non-tobacco plant materials, having a low content or being free of chlorophyll and fat, and from water, which paste is supplemented by means of additives to a minimum content of 7.5 percent pectin, 2 percent amino acids and 10 percent sugar (in each case the percentage of dry weight as referred to the dry weight of the paste) and, in the case of a deficient binding capacity, it is made capable of binding through an admixture of NaCMC - sodium carboxymethylcellulose - and, in the case of deficient hygroscopic properties, it is made hygroscopic through an admixture of a softening material and then molded into tobacco substitute and solidified by drying.

Description

United States Patent [191 Buchmann et a1.

11] 3,867,951 1 1 Feb. 25, 1975 1 TOBACCO SUBSTITUTE [73] Assignee: Tamag Basel AG, Basel,

Switzerland 22 Filed: June 11, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 368,587

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 232,222, March 6, 1972,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 131/2, 131/143 [51] Int. Cl A241) 15/00 [58] Field of Search l3l/2, l5, 17, 140-144 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,576,021 11/1951 Koree 131/2 2,809,904 10/1957 Koree 2,930,720 3/1960 3,136,321 6/1964 Davis 131/14() R 3,203,432 8/1965 Green et a1. 131/140 C 3,369,552 2/1968 Carroll 131/2 3,529,602 9/1970 Hind et ul. 131/2 Primary Examiner-Melvin D. Rein Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack [57] ABSTRACT A non-tobacco plant smoking substitute material is disclosed having a low wood content or having no wood content. The smokable tobacco substitute can be worked by the technological methods customary in the tobacco industry and is characterized in that a homogeneous paste is produced from leaves, blossoms, stems fruits, shells, tubers or similar nontobacco plant materials, having a low content or being free of chlorophyll and fat, and from water, which paste is supplemented by means of additives to a minimum content of 7.5 percent pectin, 2 percent amino acids and 10 percent sugar (in each case the pe'rcentage of dry weight as referred to the dry weight of the paste) and, in the case of a deficient binding capacity, it is made capable of binding through an admixture of NaCMC sodium carboxymethylcellulose and, in the case of deficient hygroscopic properties, it is made hygroscopic through an admixture of a softening material and then molded into tobacco substitute and solidified by drying.

4 Claims, No Drawings TOBACCO SUBSTITUTE This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 232,222, filed Mar. 6, 1972 now abandoned.

The invention relates to a processed nontobacco plant material, having a low wood content or having no wood content. This plant material can be worked by the technological methods customery in the tobacco industry and a tobacco substitute thus produced.

It is known to remove the chlorophyll, which exerts a detrimental effect on the smoking pleasure, from the leaves of nontobacco plants and to increase the protein content through the extraction of other components and to obtain a tobacco substitute from the leaves thus treated by drying, with the addition of aromaimproving and combustion-promoting materials. It is also known to prepare a tobacco substitute from leaves of nontobacco plants and from cellulose sheets by spraying with chemicals or by impregnating with such chemicals.

With these known processes it is indeed possible to produce a sheet which is sufficiently flexible under certain circumstances so that it can be worked in the same manner as leaf tobacco, but disadvantages appear during smoking. In particular, the smoke aroma is not satisfactory and frequently even covered by a burning, irritating taste so that this sheet cannot be used in practice as tobacco substitute.

The task of the invention is to develop a product of the type mentioned at the outset in such a manner as to make possible the production ofa tobacco substitute that is similar to the natural tobacco to the greatest possible extent even during smoking and, in particular, possesses a pleasant, nonburning aroma.

The product of this invention is characterized in that it is made from a homogeneous paste compounded from leaves, blossoms, stems, fruits, shells, tubers or similar nontobacco plant materials, having a low content or being free of chlorophyll and fat, and from water, which paste is supplemented by means of additives to a minimum content of 7.5 percent pectin 2 percent amino acids and percent sugar (in each case the pre sentage of dry weight as referred to the dry weight of the paste) and, in the case of a deficient binding capacity, it is made capable of binding through an admixture of NaCMC sodium carboxymethylcellulose and, in the case of deficient hygroscopic properties, it is made hygroscopic through an admixture of a softener material and then molded into tobacco substitute and solidified by drying. The dry weight portion of additives preferably amounts to less than 50 percent (in reference to the dry weight of the nontobacco plant material which is employed). The dry weight portion of NaCMC preferably amounts up to 3 percent (in reference to the dry weight of the paste). The dry weight portion of the softener material preferably amounts up to 10 percent (in reference to the dry weight of the paste). The moisture content of the solidified tobacco substitute preferably amounts to l 10 percent (in reference to the dry weight of the paste). If chemicals are also added, the dry weight portion of such chemical preferably amounts at the most to 5 percent.

The tobacco sutstitute is molded into a sheet, strands, flakes or the like.

In relation to other plants, natural tobacco is distinguished (among other things) by a high content of pectin, amino acids and sugar. These special concentrations, that are characteristic for the natural tobacco,

are produced in the paste by means of additives. Experiments have shown that it is possible to produce in this manner a sheet which is very similar to the natural tobacco leaf, both in regard to its capacity for technological processing and also in regard to its smoking properties. On the one hand, the aroma, which is pleasant just like that of a good natural tobacco, is probably caused by the fact that the minimal content of pectin, amino acids and sugar (characteristic for the tobacco) is present and, indeed, in a fine distribution just as in a natural tobacco leaf and, on the other hand, by the fact that many of the natural fine structures and molecular cross-linkages remain preserved at least for alarge portion of the material. Not only the composition (with regard to the above-mentioned special components) but also the inner texture (structure) of the produced sheet can be made very similar to the natural tobacco leaf, if any case to a greater extent than with the known processes.

The additives may be added in the form of pure chemical substances. However, better results are obtained if additives are used in the form of raw extracts from non tobacco plants. In such raw plant extracts, the additives are present, at least in part, still in their original natural fine structure and molecular lattice, which can also be retained (by the extracts) to a considerable extent in the course of the process of the invention. Besides, many raw plant extracts contain the desired aroma components that may also be present in a crosslinked form as conglomerates. This is probably the cause of the better results that were obtained in regard to the smoke aroma when additives were employed in the form of raw extracts. Here and in the following text, the term raw extract is to express the fact that these extracts consist of a conglomerate of various substances of the same group of substances in a combination as occurring in natural plant material. For example, such raw plant extracts are obtained to a large extent in the production of. food, in part as low-value side products and in part even as waste, so that they are available at a very good price, which is of importance for the industrial usage.

A raw plant extract, having a high content of pectin, as obtained in the production of fruit juices, preferably apples and pears, is preferably employed as additive for bringing the pectin content to the desired level.

For bringing the sugar content to the desired level, there is preferably employed a raw plant extract ob tained in sugar refineries as the so-called molasses or in the production of fruit juices, preferably from plums, apricots and peaches, as fruit concentrate residue.

For bringing the amino acid content to the desired level, there is preferably employed a raw plant extract obtained through hydrolysis of the albumin content from soybean flour or other natural materials having a high albumin content, as obtained for example in the processing of milk products.

Under certain circumstances, a tobacco substitute having a nicotine content is desirable. And for such cases the invention proposes that the paste be admixed either with a nicotine-containing raw plant extract from tobacco plants, as obtained in industrial leaching of tobacco leaves, and/or a mixture of several nicotine salts, e.g., nicotine sulfate, nicotine phosphate, nicotine citrate, nicotine maleate and nicotine tannate. In both cases, the nicotine is not introduced as a pure substance into the tobacco substitute, which produces a better approximation to the natural conditions, in a similar manner as in the case of other additives. As already mentioned above, this circumstance exerts a positive effect on the smoke aroma and on the smoking pleasure.

NaCMC turned out to be an effective binder, since relatively low amounts thereof are sufficient for producing a sheet having a satisfactory binding capacity, which is probably based on the fact that the NaCMC forms particularly effective binding structures with the binders that are already present in the plant material which is used.

A particularly fine distribution of the substances of the paste is desirable for obtaining the greatest possible homogeneity of the tobacco substitute. In addition, it promotes the decomposition of the binders already present in the nontobacco plant material, which decomposition is preferably accomplished through an addition of chemicals and/or heating, in order to render such binders adhesive. For this reason, a further development of the process of the invention is characterized in that the paste is finely cominuted to an average colloidal particle size of 5 ,u. and smaller. The effects sought with such a fine distribution are attainable (although many particles are larger than 5 u, in part even substantially larger, with the average particle size given) because the intended binding effect is produced at least by the particles of colloidal size and the larger particles are embedded in the finished tobacco substi- .tute.

The necessary comminution should be carried out in a careful manner since, otherwise, the aroma is impaired. A careful comminution is attained by forming a suspension from the coarsely precomminuted nontobacco plant material, water and at least the additives present in a coarse and water-insoluble form, which suspension is then forced between the grinding grains of a packing of grinding grains that roll on each other owing to stirring, so that the suspension is ground to the final particle size. A mill suitable for this purpose is known from the Austrian Pat. No. 280,870.

The following come into point as nontobacco plant materials: lettuce leaves, lettuce leaf veins, tea leaves, tea leaf stems, pine needles, banana leaves, cactus, nutshells, maize plants and maize fruits, leaves of beets, cabbages, petals, cereal plants and cereal grains and, in particular, waste materials from cereal processing, such as cereal stalks, chaff (Laten: palea) and bran (Latin: furfur), thus, for example, chaff and bran of oats, rye, hops, rice and other types of chaff and bran. These cereal waste products lead to a pleasant smoke aroma, which may be based on the high content of pentosans. Just as the nutshells, the cereal waste products are very economical since the materials in question are byproducts. The nontobacco plant material may be fermented entirely or in part, approximately in the same manner as the natural tobacco is fermented for further processing. However, the nontobacco plant material can also be worked without fermenting.

The following can be considered as plant extracts: for example, fruit concentrate, residues of must manufacture, molasses, brewery residues and most plant extracts that are obtained in food manufacture.

Plant parts and/or plant extracts possessing undesirable components, such as wood, chlorophyll, toxic components or components that produce toxic effects in the smoke and/or alkaloids are to be avoided or such components are to be decomposed, rendered harmless or removed, If plant parts or plant extracts possess undesirable components but also special aromaimproving components or components that improve the physical properties of the tobacco sheet, then the expenditures associated with the removal of such undesirable components will be readily accepted under certain circumstances, in order to bring the abovementioned favorable components into the finished tobacco substitute.

The following can be considered for example as softening substances: percent sorbitol, glycerine, diethylene glycol or mixtures thereof.

As chemicals added to the paste for promoting the decomposition of the hinder, the following can be considered, for example: ammonia, ammonium formiate, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, polyphosphates, citric acid and tartaric acid.

As examples of undesirable plant components that are present in many plants and plant extracts and are removed from the paste in a given case, the following come into point in addition to those mentioned above:

atropine, morphine, caffeine, heroin and the like. Pharmocologically and/or aromatically active additives may be admixed to the paste and for this purpose the following come into point, for example:

menthol, nicotine, caffeine, natural tobacco extracts, sauces and flavors as employed with natural tobacco, aroma extracts from the natural tobacco as well as other, preferably heat-resistant and preferably volatile substances that are undecomposed in the smoke to a considerable extent. Of course, the dosage of these additives will be selected low so as to avoid the occurrence of harmful effects that exceed the intended favorable pharmacological and/or aromatic effect. The dose of the nicotine additive will be suitably selected so low that the great harmful effects (as in the case of the natural tobacco) need not be taken into account.

EXAMPLE 1 One kg starting material, consisting of a mixture of 70 percent tea leaves, 5 percent potato peelings, 12 percent rose petals and 13 percent anise root ends, is cut up to about 2 cm cutting length and then precomminuted in a crushing mill to 250 p. and less. The comminuted material thus obtained is suspended in 4 liter suspension liquid, consisting of tap water. This suspension is admixed with 70 g plant extract, consisting of a mixture of 4 parts molasses (sugar refinery residue) and one part malt sugar. Then the suspension is forced in a mill through a continuously stirred packing of glass spheres and is comminuted finely in this manner. The glass spheres have a diameter of about 3 millimeters. The average time of stay of the suspension in the packing of glass spheres amounts to 10 minutes. The excess heat generated by the friction, as the material is forced through the glass sphere packing, is removed by cooling so that the suspension cannot exceed a temperature of 43C during grinding. In the paste discharged from the glass sphere packing, the plant parts and the plant extract are finely comminuted to colloidal particle size.

Into the finely comminuted paste, 20 g NaCMC is admixed as binder additive and 50 g glycerine as a softener. Besides, 30 g water-soluble plant extract, consisting of a mixture of one part glucose and one part fructose, is admixed to the paste.

Then the paste is spread out into a sheet, dried by means of warm air and, after cooling, moistened again with water vapor and adjusted to a moisture content of about percent in reference to the dry weight. The sheet, which is elastic and strong, is divided into pieces 5 having the same size as the natural leaves and processed into smokable articles, such as cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and the like, in the same manner as the natural leaves or intermixed with such leaves.

The following examples differ from Example 1 only through the data appearing in the following Tables.

Table 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4 80% tea leaves 25% stinging 30% dried nettle ebony l5% tomato leaves (Urtica) leaves Nontobacco plant parts, one kg 5% thyme roots straw (sweet) in all, in each woodrufl" case, as starting material 1% spruce 3% maple needles bark 50% dried 20% dried sour chestnut cherry leaves leaves 27% maize leaves 50 g molasses 70 g raw pectin Plant extract stirred into 50 g fruit the suspension concentrate 30 g hydrolyzed 70 g raw pear soybean pectin flour 30 g fruit Plant extract concentrate stirred into the paste 10 g raw pectin 5 liter water 5 liter 0.3% 5 liter Suspension phosphate 0.1% liquid solution potassium carbonate solution Binder additive g NaCMC 25 g NaCMC g NaCMC Softener 25 g 70% g diethyl 40 g diethyl- Additive sorbitol ene glycol ene glycol 30 g glucose 25 g asbestos Further additives 5 g calcium to be stirred formiate into the paste 20 g asbestos l0 g tartaric acid 4 g Virginaroma Secondary subtheine (removed stances removed by chloroform from the paste extraction) Table 2 Example 5 Example 6 Nontobacco plant oat bran dried fern parts, one kg in all, in each 20% straw l0% black tea case as starting material 10% oak leaves 40 g molasses 40 g molasses 30 g fruit concentrate 35 g fruit concenfrom peaches and trate plums Plant extract 10 g crude apple stirred into pectine the suspension g residue from must manufacture, con- 15 g soybean flour taining about 20% pectin 20 g hydrolyzed soybean Secondary substances removed from the paste In accordance with these examples, it is possible to obtain a sheet of substitute tobacco which is characterized by l. the composition of the dry content of the following components: at least tobacco substitute plant material, having a low content of chlorophyll], fat and wood, and at the most 3 raw plant extract from tobacco substitute plants, NaCMC, softener as well as other chemicals and 2. a dry weight portion of at least 7.5 percent (but preferably at least percent) pectin, at least 2 percent (but preferably at least 4 percent) amino acids, at least 10 percent sugar and 3. a homogeneous distribution of the components and 4. the fact that the pectins, amino acids and sugar are present to a considerable extent in their natural cross-linkage given by the plant material and raw plant extract employed.

A tobacco substitute sheet of this kind can be processed in the same manner as the natrual tobacco. If necessary, it may be mixed with the natural tobacco. It offers a pleasant aroma in smoke without a bad aftertaste.

In many cases, the tobacco substitute produced in accordance with the invention does not possess the same color as the tobacco recovered from tobacco plants. In such cases, the color of the tobacco substitute can be changed by admixing and homogenizing the paste with a dried brown leaf material serving as the dye portion of the nontobacco plant material, e.g., oak leaves,

maple leaves, beech leaves or red beech leaves.

The embodiment of the invention in which exclusive property or privelege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A tobacco substitute having low cellulose, fat and chlorophyll content which is comprised of a homogeneous mixture of a. a non-tobacco plant material comprising chaff or bran of cereal plants in an amount of at least of said tobacco substitute;

b. fruit extract sufficient to bring the pectin content of the tobacco substitute to about 7.5-l0 percent; c. molasses or fruit extract sufficient to bring thesugar content of the tobacco substitute to at least 10 percent and d. hydrolyzed natural material of high albumin content sufficient to bring the amino acid content of the tobacco substitute to about 24 percent.

2. A tobacco substitute according to claim 1 which comprises a. a mixture of oat bran, straw and oak leaves b. residue from must manufacture containing about 20 percent pectin c. molasses and fruit concentrate from peaches and plums and d. hydrolyzed soybean flour.

3. A tobacco substitute according to claim 1 which is in comminuted form and has an average colloidal particle size of 5 ,u.

4. A tobacco substitute according to claim I which is in the form of a sheet.

Claims (4)

1. A TOBACCO SUBSTITUTE HAVING LOW CELLULOSE, FAT AND CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT WHICH IS COMPRISED OF A HOMOGENEOUS MIXTURE OF A. A NON-TOBACCO PLANT MATERIAL COMPRISING CHAFF OR BRAN OF CEREAL PLANTS IN AN AMOUNT OF AT LEAST 2/3 OF SAID TOBACCO SUBSTITUTE; B. FRUIT EXTRACT SUFFICIENT TO BRING THE PECTIN CONTENT OF THE TOBACCO SUBSTITUTE TO ABOUT 7.5-10 PERCENT; C. MOLASSES OR FRUIT EXTRACT SUFFICIENT TO BRING THESUGAR CONTENT OF THE TOBACCO SUBSTITUTE TO AT LEAST 10 PERCENT AND D. HYDROLYZED NATURAL MATERIAL OF HIGH ALBUMIN CONTENT SUFFICIENT TO BRING THE AMINO ACID CONTENT OF THE TOBACCO SUBSTITUTE TO ABOUT 2-4 PERCENT.

2. A tobacco substitute according to claim 1 which comprises a. a mixture of oat bran, straw and oak leaves b. residue from must manufacture containing about 20 percent pectin c. molasses and fruit concentrate from peaches and plums and d. hydrolyzed soybean flour.

3. A tobacco substitute according to claim 1 which is in comminuted form and has an average colloidal particle size of 5 Mu .

4. A tobacco substitute according to claim 1 which is in the form of a sheet.