Method for preparing a tobacco product and tobacco liquid solution
Description
The present invention relates to a method for preparing a tobacco product, a tobacco liquid solution, an aerosolisable product for an aerosol generation device containing a tobacco liquid, a smoking article containing the tobacco product and a snus or chewing article containing the tobacco product.
In nicotine containing consumable products like aerosolisable products for aerosol generating devices (e.g. e-cigarettes), snus, chewing articles or conventional smoking articles, often arti ficial flavorings are used. Such artificial flavorings often comprise the drawback of delivering an un-natural and therefore unsatisfying taste experience.
It is therefore the objective of the invention to provide a multi-purpose tobacco product usable in multiple nicotine containing consumable products, which eliminates the drawbacks and de livers a natural and pleasantly sweet tobacco taste. This objective is achieved by a method for preparing a tobacco product according to claim 1 . This method comprises the steps:
• Providing raw tobacco having a content of reducing sugars of at least 4% by weight,
• mixing and infusing the raw tobacco with a first solvent,
• removing tobacco material to obtain an infused tobacco liquid, · heating the infused tobacco liquid to evaporate the first solvent, caramelize and form a tobacco product having a syrup-like, jam-like and/or honey-like texture.
The raw tobacco is defined as raw as it comes from reduced parts of the cured tobacco (flue, air, sun, fired curing). It can be a tobacco blend including different tobacco varieties without casing and flavor. In the summary of the description we should include: tobacco powder, frag ments, pieces, whole leaves, stem etc.
The reducing sugar content of the raw tobacco of at least 4 % by weight ensures sufficient reducing sugars in the liquid tobacco product for the caramelization reaction. The carameliza- tion reaction turns the reducing sugars from the raw tobacco into caramelized sugar. With the caramelized sugar, the desired sweetness of the tobacco product is achieved. During mixing and infusing the raw tobacco with the first solvent, soluble substances like nicotine, other al kaloids, flavoring substances, sugar and reducing sugars are released from the raw tobacco and are solved in the first solvent. The removal of the tobacco material removes only the re maining solid component together with the substances insoluble in the first solvent. The re maining liquid denotes the infused tobacco liquid.
When heating the infused tobacco liquid, the first solvent is evaporated at least in part. After evaporation of the first solvent, the tobacco product may still comprise a certain level of the first solvent. Preferably the content of the first solvent in the tobacco product after evaporating the first solvent is between 0 - 20 % by weight. During the heating step the infused tobacco liquid is thickened and concentrated. This gives the tobacco product the honey-like texture. Also the taste is intensified. Due to the natural tobacco component and the caramelized sugar, the desired natural and sweet taste profile is achieved without any additives. The honey-like texture is desirable for easy processing in several different products. Also the tobacco product with this honey-like texture denotes a concentrated product, which enables more effective stor age and transport. The tobacco product is water soluble.
According to another embodiment, the first solvent is water and the infused tobacco liquid is heated between 100 °C and 190°C. At the given temperatures the water can be evaporated as they are equal or larger to the boiling point of water (100 °C). Depending on the reducing sugar types contained in the infused tobacco liquid, different temperatures may be necessary to facilitate the caramelization reaction. The caramelization temperatures of different sugar types are as follows:
• fructose: 110 °C (reducing sugar)
• galactose: 160 °C (reducing sugar)
• glucose: 160 °C (reducing sugar)
• sucrose: 160 °C (non-reducing sugar)
• maltose: 180 °C (reducing sugar).
Preferably, the infused tobacco liquid is heated to at least 110°C. Alternatively the infused tobacco liquid is heated to at least 160°C. The infused tobacco liquid may also be heated to at least 180 °C. The latter would allow all sugars contained in the liquid tobacco product to be caramelized, while the other two embodiments allow only for the caramelization of some sug ars. By selection of the heating temperature, the taste profile can be adjusted. During the heat ing step a maillard reaction may occur parallel to the caramelization reaction with the reducing sugars. This typically takes place at temperatures between 140 and 165 °C.
According to another embodiment the raw tobacco comprises a maximum content of reducing sugars of 30 % by weight. This reducing sugar content ensures the desired amount of sweet ness in the ready-made tobacco product. Preferably, the raw tobacco comprises a reducing sugar content of 7 -10 weight %. This reducing sugar content delivers the optimal taste profile. Below 4 weight % of reducing sugar in the raw tobacco a significantly lower caramel sweet taste is perceivable in the final product, which is undesirable as the sweet taste of the final product is of high importance to achieve the desired taste profile.
A preferred embodiment of the ready-made tobacco product contains at least 1.5 - 6 weight % nicotine, 6 - 15 % sugar and 14 - 20 % water.
Preferably, the raw tobacco is Virginia tobacco or an American Blend tobacco mixture. Ameri can Blend tobacco mixture typically contains flue cured Virginia tobacco, Oriental tobacco and Burley tobacco. Virginia tobacco contains high sugar levels. American Blend tobacco contains medium sugar levels. Both thus provide the desired sugar content in the raw tobacco. By using different tobacco types or blends, different taste profiles of the tobacco product can be achieved. By using a Virginia tobacco or blend thereof a tobacco product with a caramel-sweet taste profile can be obtained. By using an American Blend tobacco mixture a more spicy and licorice like taste profile can be obtained. However, any tobacco type or blend with a reducing sugar content of at least 4 weight % is applicable in this invention. Preferably, the tobacco could be Virginia tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, Shade tobacco, White Burley to bacco, wild tobacco, Latakia tobacco, brightleaf tobacco, fire-cured tobacco, flue-cured to bacco, air-cured tobacco, sun-cured tobacco, Perique tobacco, Cavendish tobacco, Criollo to bacco and/or Dokha tobacco. Most preferably, the tobacco type or blend comprises a reducing sugar content of 20 % by weight or above, for example 24 % by weight.
Preferably, the raw tobacco comprises different parts of the tobacco plant material. The raw tobacco may comprise whole tobacco leaves, cut tobacco leaves, tobacco stems, tobacco pieces, tobacco scrap, tobacco fragments, tobacco powder and tobacco dust, wherein the lat ter may be side products of tobacco cut filler production. This increases the yield from the tobacco plant material.
According to another embodiment the raw tobacco has a maximum particle size of 20 mm. Preferably, the maximum particle size is 2 mm, most preferred 1 mm. This upper threshold for the particle size ensures optimal extraction of the soluble substances during the infusion, as with smaller particle size the overall surface area of the raw tobacco is increased, which pro motes the interaction of the raw tobacco with the first solvent and increases the extraction efficiency. Preferably, the raw tobacco is grinded, to obtain the desired particle size.
According to another embodiment the mixture of raw tobacco and first solvent comprises at least 10 weight % of raw tobacco. By using at least 10 weight % of raw tobacco, a sufficient concentration of soluble substances is provided in the infused tobacco liquid. Preferably, the mixture comprises between 11 - 17 weight % raw tobacco. The resulting mixture preferably has a pulpy consistency. This is the optimum value for the infusion process.
According to another embodiment the infusion of the raw tobacco with the first solvent lasts at least 10 minutes, preferably 20 minutes, especially preferably 1 hour, before the tobacco ma terial is removed. This timespans ensure sufficient extraction of the soluble substances from the raw tobacco into the first solvent. Preferably, the raw tobacco is infused with the first solvent at warm temperatures. Preferably, the warm temperature is 65 °C. By infusing at warm tem peratures the infusion time can be reduced while obtaining the same extraction efficiency as for longer infusion times at room temperatures.
According to another embodiment the tobacco material is removed by filtration. Filtration is a very easy to apply process step. It is easily adjustable to specific processes. The pore sizes of the filter is selectable. This makes it possible to adjust the filtration result according to the process demands.
According to another embodiment the viscosity of the caramelized tobacco product is between 10 Pa.s and 100 Pa.s at 60 °C. The viscosity was measured with a Rheometer MCR 101 (Anton Paar) with a shear rate of 50 I/s. These viscosity values provide the syrup-like, jam-like and/or honey-like texture.
The objective of the invention is also reached by a method for preparing a tobacco liquid solu tion, wherein it comprises mixing a second solvent with the caramelized tobacco product pro duced according to any of the previously described methods. By mixing the tobacco product with a second solvent, the viscosity may be adapted to suit different manufacturing processes. The mixing with the second solvent can take place independently from the tobacco product production and tailored to any subsequent manufacturing processes. This ensures the multi purpose character of the tobacco product. The tobacco liquid solution is aerosolisable.
Preferably, the second solvent comprises water, or propylene glycol, or glycerol or combina tions thereof. These types of second solvents are very natural and unharmful substances, which do not compromise on the natural character of the tobacco product.
According to another embodiment the caramelized tobacco product is diluted with the second solvent in a ratio between 1 :1 and 1 :20. By this dilution a tobacco liquid solution is obtained. These dilution ratios result in an optimum nebulizing effect, when the diluted tobacco product is used in an aerosol generating device. When used in an aerosol generating device, the to bacco liquid solution is aerosolized. This implies that also the contained tobacco product with all its components is aerosolized. Preferably, the second solvent contains 60 weight % propyl ene glycol and 40 weight % of the glycerol. Preferably, this embodiment of the second solvent is mixed with the caramelized tobacco product, wherein the amount of tobacco product in the tobacco liquid solution is 20 weight % at maximum. In this way the solubility limit is not ex ceeded. Preferably the tobacco liquid solution comprises 5 - 10 weight % tobacco product.
With 5 weight % of tobacco product mixed with a solution of 40 weight % propylene glycol and 60 weight % glycerol a pleasant taste with high smoke volume can be achieved. The smoke taste texture is milder with notes of almond. No leakage occurs in the aerosol generating de vice. With 10 weight % of tobacco product mixed with a solution of 40 weight % propylene glycol and 60 weight % glycerol a stronger taste can be obtained. The taste is reminiscent of dark roast espresso with sweetness. The smoke taste texture is creamy, with a full body and can be slightly throat scratching.
According to another embodiment the total sugar content is comprised between 15 and 75 weight % of the tobacco liquid solution. Only with this sugar content in the tobacco liquid solu tion the desired taste is achievable. Below 15 weight % of sugar in the solution a significantly lower caramel sweet taste is perceivable in the final product, which is undesirable as the sweet
taste of the final product is of high importance to achieve the desired taste profile. Preferably, the sugar content in the solution is above 25 weight %. This ensures sufficient sweetness in the final product.
The objective is also reached by a tobacco liquid solution comprising a mixture of tobacco product and a second solvent, wherein the solution contains caramelized sugar and has a total sugar content between 15 and 75% by weight of the tobacco liquid solution. The tobacco liquid solution comprises all the already mentioned advantages together with the superior sweet and natural tobacco taste. The tobacco liquid solution is additive free. It delivers a full volume and immediate vaping effect, when aerosolized in an aerosol generating device. The aerosolized tobacco liquid solution delivers as natural balanced tobacco taste with an enhanced roast note.
According to another embodiment the tobacco liquid solution further comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of: alkaloids, essential oils and combinations thereof. Nicotine as an alkaloid is therefore also included. These substances are naturally de rived from the raw tobacco during the infusion step. Alternatively, such natural substances may also be added to the liquid tobacco solution to further tailor the taste profile.
The objective is also reached by an aerosolisable product for an aerosol generation device containing the tobacco liquid solution obtained by any of the previously described methods. The aerosol generating device can be a liquid nebulizer nebulizing liquid droplets at ambient temperature or an atomizer vaporizing aerosol at volatilization temperature of the second sol vent. The aerosolisable product makes the superior natural and sweet tobacco taste of the tobacco product available for the use in any aerosol generating devices. Especially for aero solisable products there is a huge demand for natural tobacco flavors and natural products in contrast to the broadly availably aerosolisable products containing artificial flavoring agents. Preferably, the aerosolisable product also comprises further natural flavoring substances. Pref erably, the natural flavoring substance is eugenol and/or menthol. In this manner, the specific taste of eugenol or menthol containing cigarettes can be mimicked with the aerosolisable prod uct. Preferably, the eugenol content is between 1 and 8 % weight, most preferably about 6 weight %.
The objective of the invention is also reached by an aerosolisable product for an aerosol gen eration device containing the tobacco product obtained by any of the previously described methods. The aerosol generating device in this embodiment can be a liquid nebulizer nebuliz-
ing liquid droplets at ambient temperature, an atomizer vaporizing aerosol at volatilization tem perature of the second solvent or a heat not burn device (T-vape) for a aerosolisable product which comprises reconstituted tobacco (RTB) with a certain amount of tobacco product or as main ingredient in a porous sachet. It can be used as additive with the RTB. Also, a tobacco mousse can be mixed with the tobacco product, preferably in proportions of 10:1 , most pre ferred of 5:1 . For example 20 g of mousse and 5 g of tobacco product can be mixed to obtain the tobacco mousse. A foam or mousse of tobacco is described in international patent WO2018122375 for example. It can comprise a tobacco ingredient containing agent and/or inhalable agent, an aerosol forming agent, a foam stabilizing agent and a foam forming agents. The weight of the tobacco ingredient can be 0.1 -33 wt.% of the weight of the foam, and the weight of the aerosol forming agent is 10-80 wt. %, preferably 40-70 wt. % of the weight of the foam.
The use of the tobacco product in heat not burn devices (T-Vape) is highly advantageous. It provides a natural tobacco taste with a full volume and immediate vaping effect. Also the nic- otine-to-TPM (total particulate matter) per puff is high compared to conventional cigarettes. With the tobacco mousse containing the tobacco product a taste and vape delivery enhance ment is realized.
The objective is also reached by a smoking article containing a tobacco product obtained by any of the previously described methods. The smoking article containing the tobacco product comprises a superior taste profile with intensified tobacco taste and a sweet aroma. By using the tobacco product smoking articles can be effectively aromatized without using artificial fla voring agents. The whole product, although aromatized, remains a completely natural products without any artificially made additives.
The objective is also reached by a snus or chewing article containing the tobacco product obtained by any of the previously described methods. This again highlights the multi-purpose character of the tobacco product. With the tobacco product also snus or chewing article can be flavored in a natural and effective way, without the need for artificial flavoring agents provid ing a natural and sweet tobacco taste.
The tobacco product obtained by any of the previously described methods may also be used as natural taste enhancer for cigarettes or other tobacco materials, in T-vape sticks, T-vape rings, T-vape chips, in heat-not-burn products, as natural taste enhancer for non-tobacco ma-
terials, as insect repellent, with foam, in candy, in chewing gum, in sprays for smoking cessa tion or as lip stick. The tobacco product is also usable for aromatizing tobacco in primary or secondary processes.
The invention further relates to a tobacco product as aforementioned for use in an aerosol generation device comprising caramelized sugar and having syrup-like, jam-like and/or honey like texture. For example, the product can be wrapped in porous paper. Preferably, this ar rangement can be used in a heat-not-burn device.
In the present application, the reducing sugars are any sugars capable of acting as a reducing agent because it has a free aldehyde group or a free ketone group. The reducing sugars are monosaccharides. The total sugars refer to reducing sugars, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides.
Caramelization refer to the browning reaction of sugar obtained by heating or cooking, produc ing polymers such as: caramelans, caramelens and caramelins and producing volatile com pounds such as diacetyl, hydroxymethylfurfural, which are responsible for the caramel flavor.
Further advantages, objectives and features of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, in the following description with reference to the appended figures. In the figures, like components in different embodiments can exhibit the same reference symbols. The figures show:
Fig. 1 schematic view of the process flow of the method for preparing a tobacco prod uct 20;
Fig. 2 schematic view of an alternative process flow of the method for preparing a to bacco product 20 and a liquid tobacco solution 22.
Figure 1 shows schematic view of the process flow of the method for preparing a tobacco product 20. The raw tobacco 2 comprises a minimum content of reducing sugars of 4 weight % and preferably a maximum content of reducing sugars of 30 weight %. Preferably, the raw tobacco has a maximum particle size of 20 mm, preferably 2 mm, most preferred 1 mm.
In a first step, raw tobacco 2 is provided. In a subsequent mixing step 7 this raw tobacco 2 is mixed with a first solvent 9 to obtain a tobacco-solvent mixture 8. The first solvent 9 preferably
is water. The tobacco-solvent mixture 8 preferably comprises at least 10 weight % of raw to bacco 2.
The obtained tobacco-solvent mixture 8 is then infused in an infusion step 10 for at least 10 minutes. Preferably, the tobacco-solvent mixture 8 is infused for 20 minutes, even more pre ferred 1 hour. The infusion step 10 may include heating of the tobacco-solvent mixture 8 to 65°C. The infusion step may also be carried out at ambient temperature or at temperature between ambient and 65°C.
After the infusion step 10, tobacco material 2a is removed from the tobacco-solvent mixture 8 in a removal step 12. The tobacco material 2a denotes mainly the insoluble solid components. The soluble components of the raw tobacco 2 or at least most of them, are solved in the first solvent 9. With the removal step 12, the infused tobacco liquid 14 is obtained. The infused tobacco liquid 14 comprises the first solvent 9 and the soluble components of the raw tobacco 2.
The infused tobacco liquid 14 is then heated in a subsequent heating step 16. The infused tobacco liquid 14 is heated to 100-190°C. In this way, the first solvent 9a can be evaporated. By definition, this evaporation of the first solvent 9a includes not necessarily the evaporation of the complete first solvent 9 present in the infused tobacco liquid. Preferably, only a part of the first solvent 9a is evaporated in the heating step 16, wherein a second part of the first solvent remains unevaporated. Alternatively, it is also possible to evaporate the complete first solvent 9 from the infused tobacco liquid 14. In this case the second part of the first solvent 9b is non-existent and the evaporated part of the first solvent 9a equals the total amount of the first solvent 9. By conducting the heating step 16 with the evaporation of the first solvent 9a, a concentrated tobacco liquid 17 is obtained.
The concentrated tobacco liquid 17 is then further heated in a caramelization step 18. In the caramelization step 18 the concentrated tobacco liquid 17 is heated until the caramelization reaction starts. The concentrated tobacco liquid 17 is then heated further until the carameliza tion occurred to the desired extent. Depending on the temperature to which the concentrated tobacco liquid 17 is heated, it is possible that only certain sugars undergo the caramelization reaction, while other sugars remain uncaramelized. In this caramelization step 18 the tobacco product 20 is formed. The caramelization step 18 changes the taste profile of the tobacco product 20 in comparison to the concentrated tobacco liquid 17 in terms of adding a caramel- sweet taste to the tobacco product 20. The caramelization step 18 further changes the texture
of the tobacco product 20 in comparison to the concentrated tobacco liquid 17. The resulting tobacco product 20 comprises a syrup-like, jam-like and/or honey-like texture. The tobacco product 20 comprises a viscosity of 10-100 Pa.s measured at 60°C.
Figure 2 shows schematic view of an alternative process flow of the method for preparing a tobacco product 20 and a liquid tobacco solution 22.
The raw tobacco 2 is obtained by a selection and/or mixture of at least one tobacco type 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e. If more than one tobacco type 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e is selected, the different tobacco types are mixed at the desired ratios to form the raw tobacco 2. The different tobacco types 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e can include different species of the nicotiana plant, differently cured tobacco types, other different forms of tobacco types and/or different parts of the tobacco plant.
Before mixing 7 the raw tobacco 2 with the first solvent 9, the raw tobacco 2 can be grinded in a grinding step 4. This results in grinded raw tobacco 6. With the grinding step, the desired maximum particle size can be ensured. The grinded raw tobacco can then be subjected to the very same method for producing a tobacco product 20 as the raw tobacco 2.
The removal step 12 can be a filtration step. In alternative to that, the removal step 12 can be a pressing step. When subjecting the concentrated tobacco liquid to the caramelization step 18, a maillard reaction 19 may take place simultaneously.
With the tobacco product 20, a tobacco liquid solution 22 can be produced. To do so, the tobacco product 20 obtained by any of the previously described processes is mixed with a second solvent 24. The second solvent 24 comprises water, propylene glycol and/or glycerol. The tobacco product 20 is diluted with the second solvent 24 in a ration between 1 :1 and 1 :20. The resulting tobacco liquid solution 22 is aerosolisable. The tobacco liquid solution 22 com prises a total sugar content between 15 and 75 weight %. The tobacco liquid solution 22 com prises caramelized sugar. It further comprises alkaloids (preferably nicotine) and/or essential oils.
The applicant reserves his right to claim all features disclosed in the application document as being an essential feature of the invention, as long as they are new, individually or in combi nation, in view of the prior art. Furthermore, it is noted that in the figures features are described, which can be advantageous individually. Someone skilled in the art will directly recognize that a specific feature being disclosed in a figure can be advantageous also without the adoption
of further features from this figure. Furthermore, someone skilled in the art will recognize that advantages can evolve from a combination of diverse features being disclosed in one or vari ous figures.
List of reference symbols
2 raw tobacco
2a tobacco material
2b-e tobacco type
4 grinding step
6 grinded raw tobacco
7 mixing step
8 tobacco-solvent mixture
9 first solvent
10 infusion step
12 removal step
14 infused tobacco liquid
16 heating step
9a part of first solvent
9b second part of first solvent
17 concentrated tobacco liquid
18 caramelization
19 maillard reaction
20 tobacco product
22 tobacco liquid solution
24 second solvent