Tobacco reconstitution process
AssigneeR. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
InventorsHarvey J. Young, Edward J. S. Sohn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Reconstituted tobacco having good wet strength is provided. Tobacco material is extracted with water to yield an insoluble portion and an aqueous portion containing water soluble tobacco components. The insoluble portion is formed into a sheet-like shape and contacted with a pectin release agent. Alternatively, the insoluble portion is contacted with pectin release agent and then formed into a sheet-like shape. The extract then is applied to the insoluble portion which has been formed into a sheet-like shape. The resulting tobacco composition is dried to yield a reconstituted tobacco material.
Claims38
A process for providing a reconstituted plant material, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) extracting components from plant material having pectins using a solvent having an aqueous character thereby providing (i) a solvent having plant extract components therein, and (ii) a plant portion insoluble in the solvent;
- (b) separating at least a portion of the solvent and extract components therein from the insoluble plant portion;
- (c) forming the insoluble plant portion provided in step (b) into a predetermined shape;
- (d) contacting the plant portion provided in step (c) with a pectin release agent under conditions sufficient to release pectins within the plant portion;
- (e) providing the portion of solvent and extract components provided in step (b) in a form capable of being applied to the plant portion of step (d);
- and
- (f) contacting the plant portion of step (d) with the solvent and extract components of step (e) so as to crosslink the released pectins and to provide a reconstituted plant material.
A process for providing a reconstituted plant material, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) extracting components from plant material having pectins using a solvent having an aqueous character thereby providing (i) a solvent having plant extract components therein, and (ii) a plant portion insoluble in the solvent;
- (b) separating at least a portion of the solvent and extract components therein from the insoluble plant portion;
- (c) forming the insoluble plant portion provided in step (b) into a predetermined shape;
- (d) contacting the plant portion provided in step (c) with a pectin release agent under conditions sufficient to release pectins within the plant portion;
- (e) subjecting the plant provided in step (d) to conditions sufficient to cause released pectins to undergo crosslinking.
A papermaking process for providing a reconstituted plant material, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) extracting components from plant material having pectins using a solvent having an aqueous character thereby providing (i) a solvent having plant extract components therein, and (ii) a plant portion insoluble in the solvent;
- (b) separating at least a portion of the solvent and extract components therein from the insoluble plant portion;
- (c) providing a slurry of the insoluble plant portion in a liquid having a aqueous character
- (d) forming the insoluble plant portion provided in step (c) into a predetermined sheet-like shape using a papermaking apparatus;
- (e) contacting the plant portion provided in step (d) with a pectin release agent under conditions sufficient to release pectins within the plant portion;
- (f) providing the portion of solvent and extract components provided in step (b) in a form capable of being applied to the plant portion of step (e);
- (g) contacting the plant portion of step (e) with the solvent and extract components of step (f) so as to crosslink the released pectins and to provide a reconstituted plant material;
- and
- (h) drying the reconstituted plant material provided in step (g).
A papermaking process for providing a reconstituted plant material, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) extracting components from plant material having pectins using a solvent having an aqueous character thereby providing (i) a solvent having plant extract components therein, and (ii) a plant portion insoluble in the solvent;
- (b) separating at least a portion of the solvent and extract components therein from the insoluble plant portion;
- (c) providing a slurry of the insoluble plant portion in a liquid having an aqueous character;
- (d) forming the insoluble plant portion provided in step (c) into a sheet-like shape using a papermaking apparatus;
- (e) contacting the plant portion provided in step (d) with a pectin release agent under conditions sufficient to release pectins within the plant portion;
- (f) subjecting the plant portion provided in step (e) to conditions sufficient to cause released pectins to undergo crosslinking so as to crosslink the released pectins and to provide a reconstituted plant material;
- and
- (g) drying the reconstituted plant material provided in step (f).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.