U.S. patent application number 09/977492 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-17 for tobacco and cigarette giving decreased sub-current smoke.
Invention is credited to Aoki, Hideki, Aoki, Hideo, Gotoh, Seishi, Kawai, Yasushi, Kutsuno, Takashi, Matsuda, Kenichiro, Niwa, Motoo.
Application Number | 20030070688 09/977492 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26443016 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030070688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aoki, Hideki ; et
al. |
April 17, 2003 |
Tobacco and cigarette giving decreased sub-current smoke
Abstract
Tobacco preferably contains powdery basic calcium phosphate,
particularly, powdery calcium-defective basic calcium phosphate,
adsorbed on or mixed with the tobacco, for decreasing the amount of
side stream smoke rising from the burning site. In the case that
tobacco is used in the form of a cigarette, the paper sheet
surrounding the tobacco may contain powdery basic calcium
phosphate.
Inventors: |
Aoki, Hideki; (Ibaragi,
JP) ; Aoki, Hideo; (Saitama, JP) ; Matsuda,
Kenichiro; (Yamaguchi, JP) ; Niwa, Motoo;
(Tokyo, JP) ; Kawai, Yasushi; (Saitama, JP)
; Kutsuno, Takashi; (Chiba, JP) ; Gotoh,
Seishi; (Yamaguchi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON PEABODY, LLP
8180 GREENSBORO DRIVE
SUITE 800
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Family ID: |
26443016 |
Appl. No.: |
09/977492 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/364 ;
131/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24D 1/02 20130101; A24B
15/28 20130101; A24B 15/287 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/364 ;
131/352 |
International
Class: |
A24B 015/00; A24D
001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Tobacco having powdery basic calcium phosphate adsorbed thereon
or mixed therewith.
2. The tobacco of claim 1, in which the powdery basic calcium
phosphate is powdery calcium-defective basic calcium phosphate.
3. The tobacco of claim 1, in which the powdery basic calcium
phosphate has a specific surface area in the range of 10 to 150
m.sup.2/g.
4. The tobacco of claim 1, in which a powder of material selected
from the group consisting of calcium tertiary phosphate, clay,
silica, alumina, calcia, magnesia, glass, and gypsum is further
adsorbed on or mixed with the tobacco.
5. A cigarette comprising tobacco and a paper sheet surrounding the
tobacco, in which the tobacco has powdery basic calcium phosphate
adsorbed thereon or mixed therewith.
6. The cigarette of claim 5, in which the powdery basic calcium
phosphate is powdery calcium-defective basic calcium phosphate.
7. The cigarette of claim 5, in which the powdery basic calcium
phosphate has a specific surface area in the range of 10 to 150
m.sup.2/g.
8. The cigarette of claim 5, in which a powder of material selected
from the group consisting of calcium tertiary phosphate, clay,
silica, alumina, calcia, magnesia, glass, and gypsum is further
adsorbed on or mixed with the tobacco.
9. A cigarette comprising tobacco and a paper sheet surrounding the
tobacco, in which the paper sheet contains powdery basic calcium
phosphate therein.
10. The cigarette of claim 9, in which the powdery basic calcium
phosphate is powdery calcium-defective basic calcium phosphate.
11. The cigarette of claim 9, in which the powdery basic calcium
phosphate has a specific surface area in the range of 10 to 150
m.sup.2/g.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a tobacco and cigarette
giving decreased sub-current smoke and reducing harmful tar and
heavy metal contaminants in the main current smoke as well as
sub-current smoke.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The smoke emitting from the burning tobacco or cigarette is
classified into a main current smoke which is absorbed by the
smoker and a sub-current (side-stream) smoke which rises from the
burning site.
[0003] Mutation Research, 222(1989), 73-80, and Environ. Sci.
Technol. 23(1989), 679-687 report that harmful materials such as
tar and heavy metals are contained in larger amounts in the
sub-current smoke than in the main current smoke. It is known that
the sub-current smoke causes passive smoking.
[0004] For trapping tar and heavy metal contaminants in the main
current smoke, a filter containing charcoal is effective and is
widely employed. However, no effective means have been developed
for trapping the tar and heavy metal contaminants in the
sub-current smoke.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide
mild-tasted tobacco and cigarette which produce less sub-current
smoke, and further decrease a heavy metal content not only in the
main current smoke but also in the sub-current smoke, while keeping
good taste and aroma of the fresh tobacco and cigarette.
[0006] The invention resides in tobacco having powdery basic
calcium phosphate adsorbed thereon or mixed therewith.
[0007] The invention further resides in a cigarette comprising
tobacco and a paper sheet surrounding the tobacco, in which the
tobacco has powdery basic calcium phosphate adsorbed thereon or
mixed therewith.
[0008] The invention furthermore resides in a cigarette comprising
tobacco and a paper sheet surrounding the tobacco, in which the
paper sheet contains powdery basic calcium phosphate therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is described below in more detail.
[0010] The powdery basic calcium phosphate employed in the
invention preferably has a specific surface area (in terms of BET
specific surface area) in the range of 10 to 150 m.sup.2/g, more
preferably 50 to 120 m.sup.2/g, most preferably 70 to 120
m.sup.2/g, so that the powder can have a high activity, and
preferably has a mean particle size of 0.005 to 100 .mu.m. The
powdery basic calcium phosphate may be in a granular form in which
a powdery phosphate is aggregated.
[0011] If the tobacco is produced in the form of a cigarette, the
paper sheet surrounding the tobacco can contain the powdery basic
calcium phosphate.
[0012] The powdery basic calcium phosphate is calcium phosphate
containing a base group (such as hydroxyl group), and is generally
referred to as hydroxyapatite, which can be expressed by the
formula of Ca.sub.10(PO.sub.4).sub.6(OH).sub.2.
[0013] The powdery basic calcium phosphate preferably is powdery
calcium-defective basic calcium phosphate, which can be expressed
by the formula of Ca.sub.10-xH.sub.2x(PO.sub.4).sub.6(OH).sub.2, in
which x is a number of 0.01 to 2. The calcium-defective basic
calcium phosphate is generally referred to as ACP, that is,
amorphous calcium phosphate. The calcium-defective basic calcium
phosphate can be produced by modifying the known process for the
production of ordinary basic calcium phosphate in such manner that
the reaction is conducted using calcium in an amount less than the
stoichiometrically equivalent amount, at a relatively low
temperature for a shortened period of time.
[0014] The tobacco of the invention may further contain other
adsorbing powdery material such as a powder of calcium tertiary
phosphate, clay, silica, alumina, calcia, magnesia, glass, and
gypsum. The other powdery material is adsorbed on or mixed with the
tobacco.
[0015] The calcium tertiary phosphate is expressed by the formula
of Ca.sub.3(PO.sub.4).sub.2. The calcium tertiary phosphate can be
of .alpha.-type or .beta.-type, any of which has good affinity to
the tobacco and the basic calcium phosphate. Tar and heavy metal
contaminants are easily adsorbed by the calcium tertiary
phosphate.
[0016] The clay contains chemical components of SiO.sub.2,
Al.sub.2O.sub.3, H.sub.2O, and/or MgO and is in the form of fine
particles. Therefore, the clay has good affinity to the tobacco and
the basic calcium phosphate. Tar and heavy metal contaminants are
easily adsorbed by the clay. The H.sub.2O contained in the clay
evaporates while the tobacco is burning. Such evaporation causes
endothermic reaction and may accelerate the adsorption of tar and
heavy metal contaminants by the clay.
[0017] Gypsum contains two waters of crystallization in one
molecule and releases the water when it is heated. Such water
release causes endothermic reaction and may accelerate the
adsorption of tar and heavy metal contaminants by the clay.
[0018] Non-crystalline oxides such as silica, alumina, calcia, and
magnesia have a relatively large surface area. Accordingly, tar and
heavy metal contaminants are easily adsorbed by these
non-crystalline oxides. Glass powder such as silicate glass powder
also has a relatively large surface area.
[0019] The basic calcium phosphate and other adsorbents can be
attached to the tobacco or paper sheet of the cigarette, for
example, by spraying an aqueous dispersion of the basic calcium
phosphate powder and other powdery adsorbents on the tobacco or the
paper sheet or simply mixing them with the tobacco. Otherwise, the
basic calcium phosphate powder can be formed to give a thin paper
film and attached to the paper sheet of cigarette.
[0020] The basic calcium phosphate is preferably employed in an
amount of 0.1 to 50 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 to 30 wt. %, per the
amount of the tobacco or the paper sheet.
[0021] Other absorbent is preferably employed in an amount of 0.1
to 50 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 to 30 wt. %, per the amount of the
tobacco or the paper sheet.
[0022] In the case of cigarette, the filter attached to the
cigarette preferably contains the basic calcium phosphate,
preferably in combination with other adsorbents such as a powder of
calcium tertiary phosphate, clay, silica, alumina, calcia,
magnesia, glass, or gypsum.
[0023] The adsorbent can be zeolite or tourmaline.
[0024] The present invention is further described by the following
examples.
EXAMPLE 1
[0025] Evaluation of production of cub-current rising from
cigarette and variation of taste and aroma of cigarette
[0026] (1) Commercially available cigarettes (Peace, Hi-lite, and
Seven Star, trademarks of Japan Tobacco Co., Ltd.) were broken to
collect the tobacco powder and the paper sheet separately. With
some of the tobacco powders were mixed a adsorbent mixture of
powdery basic calcium phosphate (specific surface area: 80
m.sup.2/g) and clay (weight ratio: 10:1) in an amount of 10 wt. %.
To some of the paper sheets were sprayed an aqueous dispersion
containing the adsorbent mixture of powdery basic calcium phosphate
and clay (10:1).
[0027] Then, new cigarettes (No. 1 to No. 9) were produced using
thus treated tobacco powder and untreated paper sheet, thus treated
tobacco powder and thus treated paper sheet, or untreated tobacco
powder and thus treated paper sheet. To the produced cigarette was
attached a commercially available tobacco filter. The produced new
cigarettes are numbered as follows:
[0028] [Peace]
[0029] No.1: adsorbent mixture was mixed with tobacco
[0030] No.2: adsorbent mixture was sprayed on paper sheet
[0031] No.3: adsorbent mixture was mixed with tobacco and sprayed
on paper sheet
[0032] [Hi-lite]
[0033] No.4: adsorbent mixture was mixed with tobacco
[0034] No.5: adsorbent mixture was sprayed on paper sheet
[0035] No.6: adsorbent mixture was mixed with tobacco and sprayed
on paper sheet
[0036] [Seven Star]
[0037] No.7: adsorbent mixture was mixed with tobacco
[0038] No.8: adsorbent mixture was sprayed on paper sheet
[0039] No.9: adsorbent mixture was mixed with tobacco and sprayed
on paper sheet
[0040] A panel composed of twenty adults (males and females) were
asked to smoke the above-mentioned commercially available
cigarettes and the sample cigarettes (No. 1 to No. 9) for
evaluating production of sub-current smoke, taste and aroma of the
sample cigarettes in comparison with the corresponding commercially
available fresh cigarettes.
[0041] The results are given in Table 1 in which AA means that
sub-current smoke prominently decreases and BB means that
sub-current smoke somewhat decreases. The number of persons giving
favorable opinion on taste and aroma means number among the panel
(20 adults).
1TABLE 1 Number of persons giv- Sample Production of ing favorable
opinion Number sub-current smoke on taste and aroma No. 1 AA 18 No.
2 BB 14 No. 3 AA 12 No. 4 AA 16 No. 5 BB 18 No. 6 AA 12 No. 7 AA 17
No. 8 BB 19 No. 9 AA 14
[0042] The results set forth in Table 1 indicate that the
cigarettes according to the invention (No. 1 to No. 9) produce less
amount of sub-current smoke, as compared with the corresponding
commercially available cigarettes. There was noted little
difference on the taste and aroma between the cigarettes (No. 1 to
No. 9) and the corresponding commercially available cigarettes.
EXAMPLE 2
[0043] Measurements of tar and heavy metal contaminants in
sub-current smoke rising from cigarette
[0044] The commercially available cigarettes, namely, Peace,
Hi-Lite, and Seven Star were broken to collect tobacco, paper
sheet, and a filter, separately. The paper sheet was cut to give
pieces of less than 5 mm.times.5 mm.
[0045] Each of a mixture of the tobacco and paper sheet was mixed
with a powdery hydroxyapatite (i.e., basic calcium phosphate)
(Ordinary HA: specific surface area 80 m.sup.2/g, or Ca defective
HA: specific surface area 90 m.sup.2/g) and optionally an auxiliary
adsorbent, that is, clay, calcia, magnesia or gypsum, in the manner
set forth in Table 2.
2TABLE 2 Sample Mixing ratio (weight ratio) Number Tobacco &
paper Basic Ca phosphate Other [Peace] No. 10 50 50(Ordinary HA) --
No. 11 50 50(Ca defective HA) -- No. 12 90 10(Ordinary HA) -- No.
13 90 10(Ca defective HA) -- No. 14 90 8(Ca defective HA) 2(clay)
No. 15 90 8(Ca defective HA) 2(calcia) No. 16 90 8(Ca defective HA)
2(magnesia) No. 17 90 8(Ca defective HA) 2(calcia) [Hi-Lite] No. 18
50 50(Ca defective HA) -- [Seven Star] No. 19 50 50(Ca defective
HA) --
[0046] For preparing each sample, 50 commercially available
cigarettes were broken.
[0047] The sample was placed in a quartz tube and heated to
800.degree. C. Smoke rising from the sample was collected in
alcohol. The alcohol was subjected to gas chromatography (G-3000
type gas chromatograph, available from Hitachi Limited) for
determining the amount of tar collected in the alcohol using a
hydrogen flame ionizing detector (FID). Cadmium and lead were
analyzed by means of ICP. As a control, a fresh cigarette, such as
Peace, Hi-Lite, or Seven Star was utilized. The results are set
forth in Table 3. The amount of tar set forth is a relative value,
based on the amount detected from the fresh cigarette.
[0048] For evaluating the cigarettes treated with the
hydroxyapatite in their taste and aroma, a panel of ten adults was
asked to smoke for comparing the fresh cigarette and the treated
cigarette. The number set forth in Table 3 represents the number
who stated that the taste was made mild, while the good aroma was
kept.
3TABLE 3 Sample Tar Cd Pb Taste & Aroma Number (wt. %) (ppm)
(ppm) (persons) [Peace] No. 10 40 no trace no trace 7 No. 11 30 no
trace no trace 8 No. 12 60 no trace no trace 10 No. 13 55 no trace
no trace 10 No. 14 40 no trace no trace 9 No. 15 30 no trace no
trace 10 No. 16 35 no trace no trace 9 No. 17 30 no trace no trace
9 Control 100 >0.01 >0.01 -- [Hi-Lite] No. 18 35 no trace no
trace 9 Control 100 >0.01 >0.01 -- [Seven Star] No. 19 30 no
trace no trace 10 Control 100 >0.01 >0.01 --
[0049] The samples according to the invention gave smoke containing
almost no heavy metal contaminants and a less amount of tar, while
keeping or enhancing the good taste and aroma of the fresh
cigarette.
[0050] Analysis of tars collected from the sample cigarettes
indicated that the amounts of tar components having a relatively
high molecular weight such as biphenyline, fluorene, anthracene,
fluorancene, ethyl 1,2-benzene-2-carboxylate, and benzpyrene
particularly decreased. Particularly, the amount of the so-called
cancer inducing compounds such as benzpyrene and fluorancene
decreased.
[0051] Further, it was noted that the basic calcium phosphate made
the taste of cigarette milder.
[0052] Furthermore, it was noted that the sub-current smoke rising
from the sample cigarette according to the invention was less than
that rising from the untreated fresh cigarette.
EXAMPLE 3
[0053] The commercially available cigarette, namely, Peace, was
broken to collect tobacco powder. On the collected tobacco powder
was sprayed an aqueous dispersion of basic calcium phosphate in an
amount of 3 weight parts per 10 weight parts of the tobacco powder.
Thus treated tobacco powder was then covered with a paper sheet to
give a sample cigarette (No. 20).
[0054] A panel composed of 10 adults was asked to smoke the sample
cigarette No. 20 as well as the corresponding fresh cigarette for
comparing the taste and aroma. All member confirmed that there ware
no change on the taste and aroma. Further, it was confirmed that
the sub-current smoke was reduced. It was also noted that light of
the sample cigarette went out within one or two minutes after the
smoking was stopped.
* * * * *