A method for preparing tobacco sheets by roller pressing

Abstract

This application discloses a method for preparing tobacco sheets by roller pressing, comprising the following steps: S1, pulverizing tobacco raw materials to the required particle size to obtain tobacco powder, adding a certain amount of binder and nanocellulose to the tobacco powder to obtain mixture one; S2, preparing flavoring and hot water in a certain proportion, stirring and dispersing evenly to obtain mixture two, adding mixture one to mixture two, stirring evenly to obtain tobacco granules; S3, preparing a mixed solution of a certain proportion of atomizing agent and heating aid under heating and stirring conditions; S4, uniformly spraying or coating the mixed solution onto the surface of the tobacco granules in a certain proportion to obtain mixture three; S5, subjecting mixture three to multiple roller pressing, drying, and shredding to produce tobacco sheets for heated tobacco products. The method of this application can effectively solve the problems of adding a large proportion of atomizing agent and incomplete release of flavoring substances, further improving the smoking experience for smokers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of methods for preparing tobacco sheets, and in particular to a method for preparing tobacco sheets by roller pressing. Background Technology

[0002] Heated tobacco products, also known as "low-temperature cigarettes," utilize an external heat source to heat the tobacco leaves to a temperature just high enough to release their aroma. The tobacco does not burn; instead, a large dose of atomizing agent is added, which is released during use through high-temperature heating, creating a smoke effect. This is a functional reconstituted tobacco product. Currently, traditional atomizing agents are mainly glycerol and propylene glycol, but these have significant drawbacks: ① Glycerol and propylene glycol are highly hygroscopic, leading to adhesion and reduced yield during the production of heated tobacco products; ② The hygroscopic properties of traditional atomizing agents make heated tobacco products prone to absorbing moisture. Erythritol, with its weaker hygroscopicity and ability to improve the cigarette's overall character, is a widely recognized new type of smoke-generating agent. Its smoke-generating effect is comparable to glycerol, and it also has a pleasant sweetness.

[0003] Currently, the following problems exist when using the roll pressing method to prepare heated tobacco products: the prepared tobacco sheets have low fiber content, are easily broken, have low filling value when rolling tobacco into cigarettes, have high draw resistance, have an unsmooth smoking experience, and have insufficient tensile strength, making them prone to breakage, thus affecting the sensory quality and utilization rate of cigarettes.

[0004] Heated tobacco products are typically heated to temperatures below 400℃ using an external heat source, which significantly reduces harmful substances compared to traditional cigarettes. However, the lower heating temperature also leads to problems such as incomplete carbonization of the tobacco-generating materials, incomplete aroma release, and low aroma concentration. Existing technologies include replacing traditional wood fibers with metal fibers to improve the thermal conductivity of heated tobacco products. While metals possess excellent thermal conductivity, their addition to heated tobacco products requires consideration of their safety and impact on sensory quality.

[0005] In summary, the following four problems urgently need to be solved when using the roller pressing method to prepare heated tobacco products in the existing technology: (1) The atomizing agent used in the preparation of heated tobacco products has a large viscosity, which makes it difficult to be absorbed by the tobacco material quickly. Increasing the proportion of atomizing agent on the original basis does not result in obvious atomization effect. The atomizing agent cannot be completely absorbed by the tobacco material, resulting in a low smoke release of heated tobacco products, which cannot meet the smoking experience of consumers; (2) The existing atomizing agent has strong hygroscopic properties, which leads to adhesion and moisture absorption during the production and processing of heated tobacco products; (3) The prepared heated tobacco products have low fiber content, are easy to break, have insufficient tensile strength, and are easy to break; (4) Due to the low heating temperature and poor thermal conductivity, the tobacco aroma substances in heated tobacco products are not fully released, which affects the sensory quality and utilization rate of cigarettes. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a method for preparing tobacco sheets using a roller pressing method. Based on the existing roller pressing process for preparing heated non-combustible tobacco products, this invention optimizes and improves the process, thereby solving the problems of adding a large proportion of atomizing agents and incomplete release of flavoring substances, and further enhancing the smoking experience for smokers.

[0007] The technical solution provided by this invention is as follows:

[0008] A method for preparing tobacco sheets by roll forming includes the following steps:

[0009] S1. Pulverize the tobacco raw material to the required particle size to obtain tobacco powder. Add a certain amount of adhesive and nanocellulose to the tobacco powder to obtain mixture one.

[0010] S2. Mix the flavoring and hot water in a certain proportion, stir and disperse evenly to obtain mixture two. Add mixture one obtained in step S1 to mixture two, stir evenly, and obtain tobacco granules.

[0011] S3. Prepare a mixed solution of atomizing agent and heating aid in a certain proportion under heating and stirring conditions;

[0012] S4. Spray or coat the mixed solution obtained in step S3 evenly onto the surface of the tobacco particles obtained in step S2 according to a certain ratio to obtain mixture three.

[0013] S5. The mixture obtained in step S4 is rolled, dried, and shredded multiple times to produce tobacco sheets for use in heated non-combustible cigarettes.

[0014] Preferably, the particle size of the tobacco powder in step S1 is 60-200 mesh.

[0015] Preferably, the adhesive added in step S1 accounts for 3-8% of the mass of the tobacco raw material, and the nanocellulose added accounts for 2-12% of the mass of the tobacco raw material.

[0016] Preferably, the adhesive in step S1 is one or more of sodium alginate, chitosan, guar gum, and cellulose acetate.

[0017] Preferably, the temperature of the hot water in step S2 is 45–80°C.

[0018] Preferably, the ratio of atomizing agent to heating aid in step S3 is 15-40:1-8.

[0019] Preferably, in step S2, the amount of flavoring and fragrance added accounts for 1-5% of the mass of the tobacco raw material, and the amount of hot water added accounts for 5-25% of the mass of the tobacco raw material.

[0020] Preferably, in step S3, the temperature is heated to 70–90°C.

[0021] Preferably, in step S3, the atomizing agent is a mixed solution of erythritol, propylene glycol, and glycerol, and the heating aid is silicon carbide powder, boron nitride powder, or a mixture thereof.

[0022] Preferably, the amount of the mixed solution added in step S4 accounts for 20-35% of the mass of the tobacco raw material.

[0023] This application has the following advantages over the prior art:

[0024] 1. The method for preparing tobacco sheets by roller pressing of the present invention adds a certain proportion of heating aid during the preparation of heated non-combustible tobacco sheets, which can effectively improve the thermal conductivity of tobacco materials, promote more complete release of tobacco substances, and make the aroma more abundant, which can significantly improve the smoking experience of consumers.

[0025] 2. The method for preparing tobacco sheets by roller pressing of the present invention uses the dry addition of nanocellulose to replace the traditional method of adding external fibers. Adding 2 to 12% nanocellulose can effectively form a sheet base with high strength, suitable thickness and softness with tobacco powder, while avoiding the impurities generated when heating external substances.

[0026] 3. The method for preparing tobacco sheets by roller pressing of the present invention involves preparing a mixed solution containing an atomizing agent at a heating temperature of 80°C and stirring, and then uniformly spraying or coating the mixed solution containing the atomizing agent onto the surface of the tobacco material particles using an atomizer or roller brush. This solves the problem that the atomizing agent used in current heated tobacco products has a high viscosity, resulting in very poor fluidity into the tobacco material. As a result, a large amount of atomizing agent is added but remains on the surface of the tobacco material and cannot fully penetrate into the interior of the tobacco material. It also solves the problem that the existing atomizing agent has strong hygroscopic properties, which leads to adhesion and moisture absorption during the production and processing of heated tobacco products. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a process flow diagram of the method for preparing tobacco sheets by roller pressing in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a method for preparing tobacco sheets by roll forming, comprising the following steps:

[0031] S1. The tobacco raw material is fed into a pulverizer and pulverized to the required particle size to obtain tobacco powder. A certain amount of adhesive and nanocellulose is added to the tobacco powder to obtain mixture one.

[0032] S2. Mix the flavoring and hot water in a certain proportion, stir and disperse evenly to obtain mixture two. Add mixture one obtained in step S1 to mixture two, stir evenly, and obtain tobacco granules.

[0033] S3. Prepare a mixed solution of atomizing agent and heating aid in a certain proportion under heating and stirring conditions;

[0034] S4. The mixed solution obtained in step S3 is evenly sprayed or coated onto the surface of the tobacco particles obtained in step S2 using an atomizer or roller brush in a certain proportion to obtain mixture three.

[0035] S5. The mixture obtained in step S4 is rolled, dried, and shredded multiple times to produce tobacco sheets for use in heated non-combustible cigarettes.

[0036] In this embodiment, the particle size of the tobacco powder in step S1 is 60-200 mesh. The adhesive added in step S1 accounts for 3-8% of the mass of the tobacco raw material, and the nanocellulose added accounts for 2-12% of the mass of the tobacco raw material. The adhesive is one or more of sodium alginate, chitosan, guar gum, and cellulose acetate. The method of preparing tobacco sheets by roller pressing in this embodiment uses the dry addition of nanocellulose to replace the traditional method of adding external fibers. Adding 2-12% nanocellulose can effectively form a sheet base with high strength, suitable thickness, and softness with the tobacco powder, while avoiding the impurities generated when heating external substances.

[0037] In this embodiment, the temperature of the hot water in step S2 is 60°C. The ratio of the atomizing agent to the heating aid in step S3 is 15–40:1–8. In step S2, the amount of flavoring and fragrance added accounts for 1–5% of the mass of the tobacco raw material, and the amount of hot water added accounts for 5–25% of the mass of the tobacco raw material.

[0038] In this embodiment, the temperature is heated to 80°C in step S3. The atomizing agent in step S3 is a mixed solution of erythritol, propylene glycol, and glycerol. The method for preparing tobacco sheets using the roller pressing method in this embodiment employs an atomizing agent containing erythritol. This not only reduces the reduction in the product's hygroscopic properties due to the reduced addition of propylene glycol and glycerol, but also, erythritol's refreshing sweetness increases the content of aroma compounds and the amount of smoke, further enhancing the smoker's satisfaction. The heating aid is silicon carbide powder or boron nitride powder or a mixture thereof. The heating aid effectively increases the thermal conductivity of the tobacco material, altering the pyrolysis state of the smoking material, resulting in more thorough carbonization, more complete release of tobacco aroma compounds, and a richer aroma, significantly improving the consumer's smoking experience.

[0039] The method for preparing tobacco sheets using the roller pressing method in this embodiment involves preparing a mixed solution containing an atomizing agent at a heating temperature of 80°C with stirring. This solution is then evenly sprayed or coated onto the surface of the tobacco particles using an atomizer or roller brush. This method solves the problem of the high viscosity of the atomizing agents currently used in heated tobacco products, which results in very poor flowability into the tobacco material. This leads to a situation where a large amount of atomizing agent remains on the surface of the tobacco material and cannot fully penetrate its interior. It also solves the problem of the strong hygroscopic properties of existing atomizing agents, which cause adhesion and moisture absorption during the production and processing of heated tobacco products. In summary, the roller-pressed tobacco sheets prepared using the method described in this embodiment not only significantly improve tensile strength, reduce breakage, and decrease moisture absorption by the tobacco, but also effectively promote the full release of tobacco aroma substances, significantly improving the smoking experience for consumers.

[0040] In this embodiment, the amount of mixed solution added in step S4 accounts for 20-35% of the mass of tobacco raw materials.

[0041] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method of producing tobacco sheet by roll-pressing, characterized in that, It comprises the following steps: S1, crushing tobacco raw materials to the required particle size to obtain tobacco powder, adding a certain amount of adhesive and a certain amount of nanocellulose by dry method to prepare mixture one, the mass of the added nanocellulose accounts for 2-12% of the mass of the tobacco raw materials; S2, preparing a mixture two by mixing and dispersing the essence and spices and hot water in a certain proportion, adding the mixture one prepared in step S1 to the mixture two, and stirring uniformly to prepare tobacco particles; S3, preparing a mixed solution of atomizing agent and heating aid in a certain proportion under the condition of heating and stirring, the atomizing agent being a mixed solution of erythritol, propylene glycol and glycerol; S4, uniformly spraying or uniformly applying the mixed solution prepared in step S3 to the surface of the tobacco particles prepared in step S2 according to a certain proportion to prepare mixture three; S5, preparing the mixture three prepared in step S4 into tobacco sheet for heat-not-burn cigarettes by multiple roll forming, drying and cutting.

2. The method for producing tobacco sheet by roll press according to claim 1, characterized by, The particle size of the tobacco powder in step S1 is 60-200 mesh.

3. The method for producing tobacco sheet by roll press according to Claim 1, characterized by, The mass of the adhesive added in step S1 accounts for 3-8% of the mass of the tobacco raw materials.

4. The method of roll press production of tobacco sheet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adhesive in step S1 is one or more of sodium alginate, chitosan, guar gum and cellulose acetate.

5. The process for the roll press preparation of tobacco sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The temperature of the hot water in step S2 is 45-80℃.

6. The process for the roll press preparation of tobacco sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The ratio of the atomizing agent to the heating aid in step S3 is 15-40:1-8.

7. The process for the roll press preparation of tobacco sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The added amount of the essence and spices in step S2 accounts for 1-5% of the mass of the tobacco raw materials, and the added amount of the hot water accounts for 5-25% of the mass of the tobacco raw materials.

8. The process for the roll press preparation of tobacco sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The temperature in step S3 is heated to 70-90℃.

9. The process for the roll press preparation of tobacco sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The heating aid in step S3 is silicon carbide powder or boron nitride powder or a mixture thereof.

10. The process for the roll press preparation of tobacco sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The added amount of the mixed solution in step S4 accounts for 20-35% of the mass of the tobacco raw materials.

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