Tobacco mixture, in particular for a hookah, and method for the production thereof

Abstract

A tobacco mixture, particularly for a hookah, is composed of various liquid and solid components. Preferably, it contains at least tobacco, glycerin, and at least one flavoring. According to the invention, moisture-absorbing particles, particularly silica gel, are added to the tobacco mixture. The silica gel is incorporated in powder form at a concentration of preferably 0.5 to 5 percent by weight and is evenly stirred into the tobacco mixture. This measure, especially incorporating a small percentage of silica gel into the tobacco mixture, achieves optimal viscosity of the entire mixture, thus allowing the smoking time to be maintained for a longer period under optimal conditions.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tobacco mixture, in particular for a water pipe, which is composed of various liquid and material components, wherein at least tobacco, glycerin and at least one flavoring are included, according to the preamble of claim 1 or claim 11 relating to the method for its manufacture.

[0002] A water pipe for shisha smoking consists, as is well known, of a water vessel, a smoke column attached to it with a tobacco bowl placed on top of it, a downstem that dips into the water, and at least one hose leading away from the water vessel with a replaceable mouthpiece for smoking. The hose can be connected to a port on the water vessel that leads into the interior of the vessel above the water level.

[0003] The tobacco bowl on top of the smoke column is filled with a tobacco mixture and covered, for example, with perforated aluminum foil or similar material. Glowing charcoal is then placed on top for smoking. It is advantageous to leave a small gap between the tobacco or cartridge and the foil to prevent the flavored tobacco from burning. However, if using unflavored tobacco, the charcoal can be placed directly on top. The temperature of the glowing charcoal is typically between 300 and 600°C.

[0004] The glowing charcoal heats and vaporizes the moisture and flavorings contained in the shisha tobacco, creating aerosols. When the user draws on the mouthpiece, a vacuum is created in the water chamber, forcing the mixture of air, vapor, smoke particles, and flavorings produced by the heating of the shisha tobacco to be inhaled as an aerosol. This mixture flows from the tobacco bowl through the continuous smoke column, the water, the upper air-filled space of the chamber, and through the hose to the mouthpiece.Due to these multiple passes of the smoke mixture through the smoke column (which is designed as a metal tube), the water, and the hose, the smoke is cooled to approximately room temperature compared to that of a cigarette or a pipe. This is what characterizes shisha smoking and creates the special sensation, in addition to the fact that the user is given an extra taste pleasure while smoking thanks to the selectable aroma of the shisha tobacco.

[0005] Generally, tobacco products for use in water pipes are a mixture of raw tobacco ground to varying degrees, various liquid components to enhance smoke production, and, depending on requirements, at least one liquid component to flavor the tobacco or the aerosol produced when the product is heated. The tobacco mixture, which is typically placed in the bowl, usually consists of tobacco, sugar molasses, glycerin, flavorings, and possibly other additives. It originally has a relatively high moisture content of over 20 percent by weight.

[0006] In some countries, however, the maximum moisture content is legally limited to 5% by weight, which is significantly higher than that of pipe or cigar tobacco. This prevents the tobacco from burning and also allows for the production of denser vapor. This specially prepared shisha tobacco is packaged in tins, jars, packets, cartridges, etc., and is available in pre-filled quantities.

[0007] One disadvantage of the current method of filling hookah bowls is that the tobacco must be stirred in the reservoir before filling the bowl. This is necessary to redistribute any molasses that has settled at the bottom of the reservoir throughout the tobacco mixture. This ensures a sufficiently even distribution of the tobacco and other ingredients, allowing the mixture to work together effectively when heated in the bowl to produce the desired voluminous aerosols. Furthermore, this filling process can lead to contamination from dripping liquid components.

[0008] In a known application of shishas according to EP 2 179 667 A1, a cartridge is proposed which has a container wall with sealed perforations and contains a single portion of shisha tobacco within this container wall. This is intended for insertion into the tobacco bowl of a water pipe as described above. The container wall has perforations and means by which the perforations in the container wall, preferably made of aluminum, are sealed moisture-tight before use. However, even with this known innovation, it cannot be prevented that the liquid separates from the tobacco inside the cartridge.

[0009] With these well-known shisha tobaccos, optimal utilization in terms of smoking duration, desired sustained flavor level, and complete consumption of the mixture is not possible because stirring the various liquid, sometimes sticky and solid components before filling the tobacco bowl is laborious and the liquid components can drip out.

[0010] The invention is based on the objective of improving a generic tobacco mixture in such a way that the disadvantages explained above are largely eliminated, while improving the handling when preparing the mixture in the tobacco bowl of a water pipe and also correspondingly extending the duration of smoking at a certain taste level.

[0011] The problem is solved according to the invention by adding moisture-absorbing particles, in particular silica gel, to the tobacco mixture.

[0012] This measure, in particular stirring silica gel into the tobacco mixture in a small proportion by weight, achieves an optimal viscosity of the entire mixture.

[0013] The invention and further advantages thereof are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments.

[0014] The tobacco mixture, especially for a water pipe, consists of various liquid and solid components, usually containing at least tobacco, glycerin, sugar and at least one flavoring.

[0015] According to the invention, moisture-absorbing particles, in particular silica gel, are added to the tobacco mixture. It is particularly advantageous to stir in powdered silica gel at a concentration of between 0.5 and 5 percent by weight into the tobacco mixture.

[0016] Within the scope of the invention, such a quantity of silica gel is added to the tobacco mixture and mixed in it, such that, according to a predetermined process sequence, a certain viscosity of the same results due to the absorption or binding of liquid in the silica gel.

[0017] The finished tobacco mixture for use in a water pipe should have a viscosity such that it does not run when soaking or heating, and thus remains compact. This viscosity corresponds to a velvety consistency, similar to that of fat or butter at room temperature (15-20°C) before heating.

[0018] When using a standard shisha tobacco mixture recipe, it is sufficient to add silica gel at approximately one percent by weight of the tobacco mixture. It is preferably produced in powder form and stirred evenly into the tobacco mixture with an average particle size between 0.01 and 0.05 mm.

[0019] Silica gel is classified as a substance in Regulation (EC) 1272 / 2008. It is known as silica gel or silicon dioxide, with the chemical formula SiO₂. MACHEREY-NAGEL GmbH & Co. KG is a known manufacturer of silica gel. Silica gel has a melting point of 1,600°C, while the liquid components of shisha tobacco, such as molasses, evaporate at less than 100°C. Therefore, the silica gel remains resistant during the heating of the charcoal in the tobacco bowl and does not release any toxic fumes or substances.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the tobacco mixture is composed of approximately the following weight proportions: 15% raw tobacco, 20% sugar, 8% flavoring, 56% glycerin and 1% silica gel.

[0021] The tobacco is made from raw tobacco consisting of shredded tobacco leaves. However, fermented tobacco, similar to that used for cigars, could also be used. Suitable tobacco varieties include well-known types such as Dark Blend, Virginia shisha tobacco, Arabic tobacco, and / or others. Dark Blend is a mixture of various tobacco types such as Burley, Dark Air Cured, Oriental, and / or other well-known tobaccos.

[0022] The sugar typically used in tobacco mixtures is liquid or viscous cane sugar and / or liquid or viscous glucose syrup or a similar product. Glucose syrup is a thickened solution obtained from starch through hydrolytic decomposition, consisting primarily of glucose. These liquids may be composed of the familiar molasses (molasses), which are then mixed with the tobacco.

[0023] At least one flavoring, preferably in the form of a liquid concentrate such as syrup, water containing oil, or the like, is also added. This flavoring may consist of fruit, such as apple, apple with anise, or cherry, or of at least one fruit, such as orange, lemon, mango, banana, strawberry, peach, grape, or melon, and / or of coffee, caramel, vanilla, coconut, rose, mint, cola, honey, perfume, and / or other flavoring agents. This flavoring can be added to the tobacco mixture.

[0024] The largest component by weight of the tobacco mixture for placing in the tobacco bowl of the water pipe is glycerin, which in its pure state is a colorless and odorless liquid that is slightly viscous and hygroscopic at room temperature and has a sweet taste, with glycerin having a viscosity of 1480 mPa·s at 20°C.

[0025] According to the invention, the components sugar, flavoring and glycerin are mixed in the specified weight ratio to form a molasses, also called molasses as mentioned, and then these mixed liquid components are mixed with crushed tobacco leaves of the raw tobacco, and finally silica gel is stirred and distributed in this mixture with the specified weight amount.

[0026] The mixing of the sugar with the flavoring and glycerin, as well as the subsequent mixing with the raw tobacco and the final stirring of the silica gel into this mixture, each take place at a defined process temperature and for a specific duration. During the process, which lasts between one and several hours, the mixture of sugar, flavoring, and glycerin is heated and then added to the raw tobacco and mixed with it. During this mixing process, alternating periods of rest and mixing phases are controlled and follow each other over the course of the process, which can last up to several hours.

[0027] After the silica gel is added to the tobacco mixture, a selectable or minimum process duration is set to ensure a specific absorption or binding of liquid by the added silica gel. During the final process of mixing the silica gel into the tobacco mixture, controlled alternating rest and mixing phases occur at intervals of half an hour or more or less. As mentioned, this preparation of the mixture can take several hours and ensures an optimal moisture content.

[0028] The invention is sufficiently demonstrated by the above embodiment. However, it could be further explained by other variations.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment, the tobacco mixture consists of approximately 15% raw tobacco, 20% sugar, 8% flavoring, 56% glycerin, and 1% silica gel by weight. Naturally, this ratio can vary and be formulated differently depending on requirements. The raw tobacco could comprise up to 40%, the sugar less than 20%, the flavoring less than or more than 8%, and the glycerin (56%) could each be present in different proportions. Advantageously, sufficient silica gel is added to achieve the desired moisture content of the mixture after the manufacturing process, in its final state for consumption.

[0030] In principle, instead of or in addition to silica gel, other moisture-absorbing particles, such as clay minerals, which usually consist of zeolites, diatomite and / or sepiolite, or a mix of these particles, which would also be produced in powder or granular form, could be used.

[0031] With this tobacco mixture and the manufacturing process, a refinement of tobacco products for consumption, in particular in water pipes, electric water pipes or similar devices, is achieved within the scope of the invention, wherein these are functionally designed in such a way that no combustion of this moist tobacco mixture takes place.

Claims

1. Tobacco mixture, in particular for a water pipe, wherein this tobacco mixture is composed of various liquid and solid components, preferably containing at least tobacco, glycerin and at least one flavoring, characterized by the fact that Moisture-absorbing particles, especially silica gel, are added to the tobacco mixture.

2. Tobacco mixture according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that Silica gel in powder form is stirred evenly into the tobacco mixture at a quantity of 0.5 to 5 percent by weight.

3. Tobacco mixture according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that The silica gel is preferably added to the tobacco mixture at approximately one percent by weight.

4. Tobacco mixture according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that The powdered silica gel, preferably with an average particle size between 0.01 and 0.05 mm, is stirred evenly into the tobacco mixture.

5. Tobacco mixture according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that The tobacco mixture is composed of approximately the following weight proportions: 15% raw tobacco, 20% sugar, 8% flavoring, 56% glycerin and 1% silica gel.

6. Tobacco mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that the sugar is added as liquid cane sugar, viscous glucose syrup or similar.

7. Tobacco mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that that at least one flavoring is added as a liquid concentrate, preferably as a syrup, oily water or the like.

8. Tobacco mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that that consists of at least one fruit flavor, such as apple, apple with anise, cherry, or at least one fruit flavor, such as orange, lemon, mango, banana, strawberry, peach, grape, melon, and / or coffee, caramel, vanilla, coconut, rose, mint, cola, perfume and / or other flavorings, which can be added to the tobacco mixture.

9. Tobacco mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that the tobacco consists of raw tobacco made from crushed tobacco leaves.

10. Tobacco mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the fact that Varieties known as tobacco, such as Dark Blend tobacco, Virginia shisha tobacco, Arabic tobacco and / or others, can be used.

11. Method for the production of a tobacco mixture according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by the fact that A certain proportion of silica gel is added to the tobacco mixture and mixed in, such that, according to a predetermined process sequence, a specific viscosity of the mixture results from the absorption or binding of liquid in the silica gel.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized by the fact thatSugar, flavoring and glycerin are mixed in the specified weight ratio, and then these mixed liquid components are stirred with crushed tobacco leaves as raw tobacco to form a mixture, and consequently silica gel is stirred into this mixture with a specified weight amount and, in particular, is evenly distributed.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that The mixing of the sugar, the flavoring and the glycerin, the subsequent mixing with the raw tobacco and also the final stirring of the silica gel in this mixture each take place at a defined process temperature and process time.

14. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by the fact that During the process, the mixture containing the sugar, flavoring, and glycerin is heated and added to the raw tobacco, mixed with it, with alternating resting and mixing phases following during this mixing process.

15. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized by the fact that After the silica gel is added to the tobacco mixture, a selectable process duration or a minimum process duration is also specified for a certain absorption or binding of liquid in the added silica gel.

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