Preparation method of extrusion forming type smoke cartridge
By combining parallel processes and low-temperature drying of tobacco stems and tobacco dust with spiral mixer extrusion molding and cigarette rolling, the problem of the inability to industrialize extruded tobacco cartridges in existing technologies has been solved, achieving efficient and low-cost tobacco cartridge preparation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510946459.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for preparing extruded cigarette cartridges are limited to the manufacture of cartridge fillers in laboratory settings, cannot be rolled on existing cigarette rolling machines, and are not suitable for continuous industrial production.
The process involves parallel steps of tobacco stem cleaning, drying, crushing, blending, extrusion molding, and rolling. Combined with low-temperature drying, quantitative feeding, and spiral mixer extrusion, continuous tobacco strips are prepared and rolled using a cigarette rolling machine to achieve industrialized continuous production.
It has enabled the industrialized continuous production of extruded e-cigarette cartridges, making full use of waste materials, with a simple process flow, high production efficiency, low cost, and sensory quality superior to traditional thin-sheet products.
Smart Images
Figure CN120938145A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco processing technology, and more specifically, to a method for preparing an extruded tobacco cartridge. Background Technology
[0002] In recent years, with increasing public concern about smoking and health, sales of traditional cigarettes have been declining, while new tobacco products have gained more and more attention and favor from consumers, gradually becoming a hot topic of research for tobacco scientists both domestically and internationally. Among them, heated tobacco products have the advantages of lower heating temperatures, lower tar content, and less health hazards compared to traditional cigarettes. They also have a stylish appearance, a superior consumer experience, and their usage and flavor characteristics are closest to those of cigarettes, making them especially popular among young consumers.
[0003] Extrusion molding technology has been widely used in the food industry in recent years, offering advantages such as low processing costs, diverse product forms, and high production efficiency. However, there is currently very little related research and application in the tobacco industry. Although some extrusion molding solutions for tobacco cartridges have been proposed, they are all still in the laboratory stage, limited to the manufacture of cartridge fillers. Furthermore, the fillers cannot be rolled into cartridges on existing cigarette rolling machines, and cartridges are made by hand filling, which is not suitable for industrial continuous production.
[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a method for preparing extruded e-cigarette cartridges. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for preparing extruded cigarette cartridges to solve the problems in the prior art. The method has a simple process, high production efficiency, low manufacturing cost, makes full use of waste materials in the production process, and is suitable for continuous industrial production.
[0006] This invention provides a method for preparing an extruded cigarette cartridge, comprising:
[0007] Raw material impurity removal process: includes the parallel processes of tobacco stem impurity removal and tobacco dust impurity removal;
[0008] Raw material drying process: includes parallel processes of tobacco stem drying and tobacco dust drying;
[0009] The crushing process includes two parallel processes: crushing tobacco stems and crushing tobacco dust.
[0010] Blending and mixing process: Mix the crushed stems and tobacco powder evenly;
[0011] Extrusion molding process: The mixed stems and tobacco dust, binder and smoke-generating agent are mixed evenly and then extruded into continuous tobacco strips;
[0012] The tobacco strip drying process;
[0013] Rolling and forming process.
[0014] In the extrusion molding method for preparing tobacco cartridges as described above, preferably, in the raw material drying process, the tobacco stem drying process dries the tobacco stems at a low temperature of ≤100°C to a moisture content of ≤10%, and the tobacco dust drying process dries the tobacco dust at a low temperature of ≤100°C to a moisture content of ≤10%.
[0015] In the extrusion molding method for preparing tobacco cartridges as described above, preferably, in the pulverizing process, the tobacco stem pulverizing process pulverizes the tobacco stems to 55-65 mesh, and the tobacco powder pulverizing process pulverizes the tobacco powder to 18-22 mesh.
[0016] In the extrusion molding method for preparing cigarette cartridges as described above, preferably, in the crushing process, after the crushed stems or cigarette dust are sieved on a screen of a corresponding size, the material on the screen continues to enter the crusher for crushing until all of it is crushed.
[0017] In the extrusion molding method for preparing the cartridge described above, preferably, the blending and mixing step includes:
[0018] The crushed stems and tobacco dust are fed into the feed inlet of the raw material blending and mixing machine through a quantitative feeding system in a first preset ratio, wherein the mass ratio of the stems and tobacco dust is (3~4):(7~6).
[0019] In the extrusion molding method for preparing the cartridge described above, preferably, the extrusion molding step includes:
[0020] The mixed stems and tobacco dust enter the spiral mixer through the discharge port located on one side of the lower end of the raw material blending and mixing machine, wherein the raw material blending and mixing machine is connected to the spiral mixer;
[0021] After the adhesive and fume generator are mixed evenly according to the second ratio, they are pumped into the spiral mixer by the feed pump.
[0022] The mixture of tobacco stems, tobacco dust, binders, and smoke-generating agents is extruded into continuous tobacco strips using the extrusion pressure of a spiral mixer.
[0023] In the extrusion molding method for preparing the cartridge described above, preferably, in the extrusion molding process, the mass ratio of the smoke-generating agent to the binder is (93~95):(7~5); the mass ratio of the mixture of tobacco stems and tobacco dust to the mixture of the smoke-generating agent and the binder is (5~7):(3~5); the binder includes at least one of low-acyl gellan gum, high-acyl gellan gum, chitosan, and CMC; the smoke-generating agent includes at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, glycerol, and sorbitol mixed with water; depending on the rolling molding system, the discharge method of the extrusion molding process includes single-hole discharge or multi-hole discharge; depending on the smoking device, the cigarette stick produced by the extrusion molding process includes a hollow cigarette stick or a solid cigarette stick.
[0024] In the above-described method for preparing extruded tobacco cartridges, preferably, the tobacco drying process includes: placing the rolled tobacco cartridge on a steel belt, drying the tobacco cartridge at a low temperature of ≤100℃ until the moisture content is 11%-13%, and the running speed of the steel belt is matched with the discharge speed of the extrusion molding process.
[0025] The method for preparing extruded tobacco cartridges as described above, wherein preferably, the rolling process includes: rolling dried tobacco strips into tobacco cartridges using a rolling system based on a cigarette rolling machine, wherein the fabric speed of the rolling system is matched with the running speed of the steel belt.
[0026] In the extrusion molding method for preparing cigarette cartridges as described above, preferably, the drying method in the cigarette stick drying process includes vacuum drying or tunnel hot air drying.
[0027] This invention provides a method for preparing extruded tobacco cartridges, enabling continuous production, fully utilizing waste materials from the production process, simplifying the process flow, increasing production efficiency, and reducing manufacturing costs. The sensory quality of the tobacco cartridges is superior to that of products manufactured using normal sheet materials. Attached Figure Description
[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0029] Figure 1 A process flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of the extrusion molding method for preparing a cigarette cartridge provided by the present invention;
[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the extrusion molding system.
[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 1-Raw material mixing machine, 2-Spiral mixer, 3-Binder / fuming agent feed port, 4-Extrusion molding port. Detailed Implementation
[0032] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The descriptions of the exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are in no way intended to limit the present disclosure or its application or use. The present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully express the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, unless specifically stated otherwise, the relative arrangement of components and steps, the composition of materials, numerical expressions, and values set forth in these embodiments should be interpreted as exemplary only and not as limiting.
[0033] The terms “first,” “second,” and similar terms used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different parts. Terms such as “including” or “contains” mean that the element preceding the term encompasses the element listed after it, and do not exclude the possibility of encompassing other elements as well. Terms such as “above” and “below” are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, this relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.
[0034] In this disclosure, when a specific component is described as being located between a first component and a second component, an intermediary component may or may not be present between the specific component and the first or second component. When a specific component is described as connecting to other components, the specific component may be directly connected to the other components without having an intermediary component, or it may not be directly connected to the other components but may have an intermediary component.
[0035] All terms used in this disclosure (including technical or scientific terms) have the same meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in a general dictionary, such as a dictionary, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and not as having an idealized or highly formalized meaning, unless expressly defined herein.
[0036] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, they should be considered part of the specification.
[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the extrusion molding method for preparing the cartridges provided in this embodiment includes the following steps in actual implementation:
[0038] Step S1, Raw material impurity removal process: This includes the parallel processes of removing tobacco stems and removing tobacco dust.
[0039] The raw material impurity removal process mainly removes metallic impurities from the raw materials.
[0040] Step S2, Raw material drying process: This includes the parallel processes of drying tobacco stems and drying tobacco dust.
[0041] In the raw material drying process, the tobacco stem drying process dries the tobacco stems at a low temperature of ≤100℃ to a moisture content of ≤10%, and the tobacco dust drying process dries the tobacco dust at a low temperature of ≤100℃ to a moisture content of ≤10%.
[0042] Step S3, Crushing Process: This includes the parallel crushing processes of tobacco stems and tobacco dust.
[0043] In the pulverizing process, the tobacco stem pulverizing process pulverizes the tobacco stems to 55-65 mesh, for example, 60 mesh, and the tobacco dust pulverizing process pulverizes the tobacco dust to 18-22 mesh, for example, 20 mesh. Specifically, in the pulverizing process, after the pulverized stem dust or tobacco dust is sieved on a screen of the corresponding size, the material on the screen continues to enter the pulverizer for further pulverization until all of it is pulverized.
[0044] Step S4, Blending and Mixing Process: Mix the crushed stems and tobacco powder evenly.
[0045] Specifically, the blending process includes: the pulverized stems and tobacco dust are fed into the feed system according to a first preset ratio via a quantitative feeding system. Figure 2 The feed inlet of the raw material blending mixer 1 of the extrusion molding system is shown, wherein the mass ratio of the stem powder to the tobacco powder is (3~4):(7~6). In a specific implementation, the stem powder and tobacco powder are added from the hopper above the raw material blending mixer 1 via a quantitative feeder.
[0046] Step S5, Extrusion Molding Process: Mix the mixed stems and tobacco powder, adhesive and smoke generator evenly, and extrude them into continuous tobacco strips.
[0047] The extrusion molding process is performed by an extrusion molding system, such as Figure 2 As shown, the extrusion molding system includes a raw material blending and mixing machine 1 and a spiral mixer 2 arranged sequentially. The raw material blending and mixing machine 1 is located above one side of the spiral mixer 2 and is connected to the spiral mixer 2. The spiral mixer 2 has a binder / smoke-generating agent feeding port 3 at its top center, and an extrusion molding port 4 is provided on the side wall of its discharge end. In one embodiment of the extrusion molding method for preparing the cigarette cartridge of the present invention, step S5 may specifically include:
[0048] Step S51: The mixed stems and tobacco powder enter the spiral mixer 2 through the discharge port located on one side of the lower end of the raw material blending and mixing machine 1, wherein the raw material blending and mixing machine 1 is connected to the spiral mixer 2.
[0049] Step S52: After the adhesive and smoke generator are mixed evenly according to the second ratio, they are pumped into the spiral mixer 2 by the feed pump.
[0050] The adhesive comprises at least one of low-acyl gellan gum, high-acyl gellan gum, chitosan, and CMC. Exemplarily, the adhesive is a bio-adhesive prepared by mixing low-acyl gellan gum and high-acyl gellan gum in a mass ratio of 4:6. The smoke-generating agent comprises a mixture of at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, glycerol, and sorbitol with water. Exemplarily, the smoke-generating agent is obtained by mixing glycerol and water in a mass ratio of 8:2. Specifically, the mass ratio of the smoke-generating agent to the adhesive is (93~95):(7~5); for example, 94:6.
[0051] In practice, the smoke generator and the binder are thoroughly mixed and allowed to stand for more than 5 minutes. The mixture is then added from the binder / smoke generator inlet 3 at the top of the middle of the spiral mixer 2, and its flow rate is controlled by a mass flow meter and a gear metering pump.
[0052] Step S53: The mixture of stem powder, tobacco powder, binder and smoke-generating agent is extruded into a continuous tobacco bar of a specified shape and size by the extrusion pressure of the spiral mixer 2.
[0053] The mass ratio of the mixture of tobacco stems and tobacco dust to the mixture of smoking agent and binder is (5~7):(3~5). Depending on the rolling and forming system, the discharge method of the extrusion molding process includes single-hole discharge or multi-hole discharge; depending on the smoking device, the tobacco stick produced by the extrusion molding process includes a hollow tobacco stick or a solid tobacco stick. In specific implementation, to ensure smooth discharge, the forming holes of the extrusion molding system have a hollow structure, and its inner cavity is provided with 3-4 shallow grooves, with feeding holes in the shallow grooves to apply a small amount of glycerin or propylene glycol to the tobacco stick.
[0054] Step S6: Tobacco strip drying process.
[0055] Specifically, the rolled tobacco strips are placed on a steel belt and dried at a low temperature of ≤100℃ until the moisture content reaches 11%-13%, and the running speed of the steel belt is matched with the discharge speed of the extrusion molding process. Furthermore, the drying process includes vacuum drying or tunnel hot air drying.
[0056] Step S7: Rolling and forming process.
[0057] Specifically, the dried tobacco strips are rolled into cigarette cartridges using a rolling and forming system based on a cigarette rolling machine. The speed of the rolling and forming system is matched with the running speed of the steel belt. In a specific implementation, the rolling and forming system is modified from a cigarette rolling machine.
[0058] The extrusion molding method for preparing tobacco cartridges provided in this invention enables continuous production of cartridges, fully utilizes waste materials from the production process, has a simple process flow, high production efficiency, and low manufacturing cost. The sensory quality of the tobacco cartridges is superior to that of products manufactured using normal sheet materials.
[0059] The embodiments of this disclosure have now been described in detail. To avoid obscuring the concept of this disclosure, some details known in the art have not been described. Those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein based on the above description.
[0060] While specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method for preparing an extruded cigarette cartridge, characterized in that, include: Raw material impurity removal process: includes the parallel processes of tobacco stem impurity removal and tobacco dust impurity removal; Raw material drying process: includes parallel processes of tobacco stem drying and tobacco dust drying; The crushing process includes two parallel processes: crushing tobacco stems and crushing tobacco dust. Blending and mixing process: Mix the crushed stems and tobacco powder evenly; Extrusion molding process: The mixed stems and tobacco dust, binder and smoke-generating agent are mixed evenly and then extruded into continuous tobacco strips; The tobacco strip drying process; Rolling and forming process.
2. The method for preparing extruded cigarette cartridges according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the raw material drying process, the tobacco stem drying process dries the tobacco stems at a low temperature of ≤100℃ to a moisture content of ≤10%, and the tobacco dust drying process dries the tobacco dust at a low temperature of ≤100℃ to a moisture content of ≤10%.
3. The method for preparing extruded cigarette cartridges according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the pulverizing process, the tobacco stem pulverizing process pulverizes the tobacco stems to 55-65 mesh, and the tobacco dust pulverizing process pulverizes the tobacco dust to 18-22 mesh.
4. The method for preparing extruded cigarette cartridges according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the crushing process, the crushed stems or tobacco dust are sieved on a screen of the corresponding size, and the material on the screen continues to be crushed in the crusher until it is completely crushed.
5. The method for preparing extruded cigarette cartridges according to claim 1, characterized in that, The blending process includes: The crushed stems and tobacco dust are fed into the feed inlet of the raw material blending and mixing machine through a quantitative feeding system in a first preset ratio, wherein the mass ratio of the stems and tobacco dust is (3~4):(7~6).
6. The method for preparing the extruded cigarette cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that, The extrusion molding process includes: The mixed stems and tobacco dust enter the spiral mixer through the discharge port located on one side of the lower end of the raw material blending and mixing machine, wherein the raw material blending and mixing machine is connected to the spiral mixer; After the adhesive and fume generator are mixed evenly according to the second ratio, they are pumped into the spiral mixer by the feed pump. The mixture of tobacco stems, tobacco dust, binders, and smoke-generating agents is extruded into continuous tobacco strips using the extrusion pressure of a spiral mixer.
7. The method for preparing the extruded cigarette cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the extrusion molding process, the mass ratio of the smoke-generating agent to the binder is (93~95):(7~5); the mass ratio of the mixture of tobacco stems and tobacco dust to the mixture of the smoke-generating agent and the binder is (5~7):(3~5); the binder includes at least one of low-acyl gellan gum, high-acyl gellan gum, chitosan, and CMC; the smoke-generating agent includes at least one of glycerol, propylene glycol, glycerol, and sorbitol mixed with water; depending on the rolling molding system, the discharge method of the extrusion molding process includes single-hole discharge or multi-hole discharge; depending on the smoking device, the tobacco stick produced by the extrusion molding process includes a hollow tobacco stick or a solid tobacco stick.
8. The method for preparing extruded cigarette cartridges according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tobacco strip drying process includes: placing the rolled tobacco strips on a steel belt, drying the tobacco strips at a low temperature of ≤100℃ until the moisture content is 11%-13%, and matching the running speed of the steel belt with the discharge speed of the extrusion molding process.
9. The method for preparing an extruded cigarette cartridge according to claim 8, characterized in that, The rolling and forming process includes: rolling dried tobacco strips into cigarette cartridges using a rolling and forming system based on a cigarette rolling machine, wherein the fabric speed of the rolling and forming system is matched with the running speed of the steel belt.
10. The method for preparing an extruded cigarette cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drying process of the tobacco strips includes vacuum drying or tunnel hot air drying.