U.S. patent application number 17/617833 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-04 for cigarillo or cigar.
This patent application is currently assigned to JT International S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is JT International S.A.. Invention is credited to Ernesto Milanes, Sean Plumridge.
Application Number | 20220240567 17/617833 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220240567 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Plumridge; Sean ; et
al. |
August 4, 2022 |
Cigarillo or Cigar
Abstract
A cigarillo or cigar having a cylindrical shape includes a cut
filler containing fine-cut tobacco leaves, a binder consisting of a
first sheet material and a wrapper consisting of a tobacco sheet
material, wherein a cylindrical rod of cut filler is wrapped in a
rotary-translational manner with a double layer consisting of
binder and wrapper, wherein the binder is arranged as an inner
layer directly to the filler and the wrapper is arranged as an
outer layer on the outer surface of the binder. The binder contains
the aromatic compound solavetivone with a content in the binder of
at least 15 ppm.
Inventors: |
Plumridge; Sean; (Trier,
DE) ; Milanes; Ernesto; (Trier, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
JT International S.A. |
Geneva |
|
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
JT International S.A.
Geneva
CH
|
Appl. No.: |
17/617833 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
June 8, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2020/065799 |
371 Date: |
December 9, 2021 |
International
Class: |
A24D 1/02 20060101
A24D001/02; A24D 1/00 20060101 A24D001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 13, 2019 |
EP |
19179968.3 |
Claims
1. A cigarillo or cigar having a cylindrical shape and comprising:
a cylindrical rod of a cut filler containing fine-cut tobacco
leaves, a binder comprising a first sheet material, and a wrapper
comprising a tobacco sheet material, wherein the binder is arranged
as an inner layer directly on the cut filler, and the wrapper is
arranged as an outer layer on an outer surface of the binder,
wherein the binder contains the aromatic compound solavetivone with
a content in the binder of at least 15 ppm.
2. The cigarillo or cigar according to claim 1, wherein: the
solavetivone content in the binder is between 15 ppm and 120
ppm.
3. The cigarillo or cigar according to claim 1, wherein: the
solavetivone content in the binder exceeds 120 ppm.
4. The cigarillo or cigar according to claim 1, wherein: the first
sheet material includes flue-cured Virginia tobacco containing the
aromatic compound solavetivone.
5. The cigarillo or cigar according to claim 1, wherein: the
tobacco sheet material includes air-cured tobacco.
6. The cigarillo or cigar according to claim 1, wherein: the
tobacco sheet material includes Burley tobacco.
7. The cigarillo or cigar according to claim 1, wherein: the
wrapper has a total sugar content of less than 3%.
8. The cigarillo or cigar according to claim 1, wherein: the
fine-cut tobacco leaves of the cut filler include American Blend
tobacco leaf mixture.
9. The cigarillo or cigar according to claim 1, wherein: the
fine-cut tobacco leaves of the cut filler include Virginia
tobacco.
10. The cigarillo or cigar according to claim 1, wherein: the
fine-cut tobacco leaves of the cut filler include a modified
American Blend tobacco leaf mixture.
11. The cigarillo or cigar according to claim 1, wherein: the
fine-cut tobacco leaves of the cut filler include a modified
Virginia tobacco.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a national phase entry under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 371 of International Application No.
PCT/EP2020/065799, filed Jun. 8, 2020, published in English, which
claims priority to European Application No. 19179968.3 filed Jun.
13, 2019, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a cigarillo or cigar having
a cylindrical shape and comprising a cut filler containing fine-cut
tobacco leaves, a binder consisting of a first sheet material and a
wrapper consisting of a tobacco sheet material, wherein a
cylindrical rod of cut filler is wrapped in a rotary-translational
manner with a double layer consisting of binder and wrapper,
wherein the binder is arranged as an inner layer directly to the
filler and the wrapper is arranged as an outer layer on the outer
surface of the binder.
[0003] Cigarillos and also cigars deliver a very different taste
experience to the consumer compared to cigarettes. In particular,
many cigarette consumers perceive the taste and/or sensory
experience of a cigarillo or cigar as unpleasant. Nevertheless,
such consumers may want to consume smoking articles in the format
of cigarillos or cigars.
[0004] It is therefore the objective of the invention to provide a
cigarillo or cigar with a similar sensory experience compared to a
cigarette, which is easy to manufacture, complies with standard
cigarillo- or cigar-making facilities and is cost effective.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The afore mentioned objective is reached by a cigarillo or
cigar having a cylindrical shape and comprising a cut filler
containing fine-cut tobacco leaves, a binder consisting of a first
sheet material and a wrapper consisting of a tobacco sheet
material, wherein a cylindrical rod of cut filler is wrapped in a
rotary-translational manner with a double layer consisting of
binder and wrapper, wherein the binder is arranged as an inner
layer directly to the filler and the wrapper is arranged as an
outer layer on the outer surface of the binder. The invention is
characterized in that, the binder contains the aromatic compound
solavetivone with a content in the binder of at least 15 ppm.
[0006] The negatively perceived sensory experience of a standard
cigarillo or cigar for a cigarette consumer is mainly determined by
the wrapper. The wrapper of standard cigarillos or cigars normally
consists of an air-cured tobacco leaf. This air-cured tobacco leaf
comprises a very strong, ammonia-like taste. Standard binders
consist of paper, reconstituted tobacco (RTB) or dark or light
air-cured tobacco. Such standard paper or RTB binders do not
provide a rich sensory experience for the cigarette consumer. In
consequence, overall sensory experience of the cigarillo or cigar
is mainly determine by the wrapper. Dark or light air-cured tobacco
binders provide a stronger sensory experience, similar to the
wrapper. If a dark or light air-cured tobacco binder is used, the
standard cigarillo/cigar and for cigarette consumers unpleasant
taste is even stronger.
[0007] To offset and harmonize the strong and for cigarette
consumers undesirable taste of the wrapper and/or binder, a binder
comprising the aromatic compound solavetivone is used. Solavetivone
has a sweet taste, which neutralizes and harmonizes the strong
taste of the wrapper and in consequence provides a sensory
experience of the cigarillo or cigar similar to a cigarette. With
this improved sensory experience, cigarette consumers will
experience the taste of the cigarillo or cigar according to the
invention as similar to a cigarette and therefore will perceive the
taste of the cigarillo or cigar according to the invention as
pleasant. This is advantageous as the invention provides a
cigarillo or cigar, which complies with the taste requirements of
cigarette consumers. The very simple exchange of the binder
material makes it possible to manufacture the invention with
already existing standard cigarillo- or cigar-making facilities.
This enables a cost-effective production of the invention.
[0008] Preferably, the content of solavetivone in the in the binder
is at least 15 ppm. This minimum amount of solavetivone in the
binder is required to achieve the desirable sensory experience.
With this solavetivone content, the strong taste of the wrapper is
sufficiently masked and harmonized, so that a cigarette consumer
used to a cigarette-like taste will perceive the overall taste of
the cigarillo or cigar as pleasant.
[0009] According to another embodiment the solavetivone content in
the binder is between 15 ppm and 120 ppm. Material with a
solavetivone content of up to 120 ppm exhibits good availability.
Therefore, this content range ensures broad availability of the
binder material while ensuring the presence of the minimum content
of solavetivone. The broad availability of the educts ensures a
cost-effective production process.
[0010] According to another embodiment the solavetivone content in
the binder exceeds 120 ppm. With a higher solavetivone content in
the binder an even stronger positive influence on the taste of the
cigarillo or cigar is possible. With this embodiment, cigarillos or
cigars are provided, which have an even sweeter and milder taste.
This opens up the possibility to offer an even sweeter and milder
cigarillo or cigar to the consumers.
[0011] According to another embodiment the binder consists of flue
cured Virginia tobacco containing the aromatic compound. Flue cured
Virginia tobacco naturally contains solavetivone. The solavetivone
is naturally contained in the Virginia tobacco leaves. Flue cured
Virginia tobacco is commercially available. The commercial
availability is an advantage, as the raw material necessary to
produce the invention is easily available. Flue cured Virginia
tobacco is also easily integratable into the cigarillo or cigar
production, as only a change in binder material is necessary.
Techniques to produce a cigarillo or cigar with a binder consisting
of a certain tobacco type are also widely known. Therefore, the
change from a standard binder, e.g. a RTB binder, to a binder made
of flue cured Virginia tobacco will be easy to realize in the
cigarillo or cigar production without the necessity to change or
modify any facilities or working procedures. This ensures a low
investment to bring this invention into the market, which will make
it especially cost-effective.
[0012] Furthermore, flue cured Virginia tobacco is a commercially
available and naturally grown product. This enables the realization
of cigarillos or cigars with an improved sensory experience for
cigarette consumers without the necessity to introduce any chemical
additives to the product. Therefore, the above suggested solution
is superior to the introduction of any artificial or even natural
aromatic substances into the cigarillo or cigar during the
production process, as this would denote an alteration of the
natural tobacco product, which often is unwanted by consumers.
[0013] Broadly available flue cured Virginia tobacco contains
solavetivone with a content of up to 120 ppm. The minimum amount of
solavetivone in the binder is 15 ppm to achieve the desired sensory
experience. This makes the concentration interval of 15 to 120 ppm
solavetivone in the binder the most cost effective for realizing a
binder with the minimum content of solavetivone. Preferably, flue
cured Virginia tobacco leaves with a higher solavetivone content of
at least 15 ppm are selected.
[0014] According to another embodiment the wrapper consists of
air-cured tobacco. In combination with a binder containing
solavetivone, the desired cigarette-like sensory experience of the
cigarillo or cigar is realized. This embodiment can be easily
realized, as air-cured tobacco as a wrapper is a well-proven
wrapper material. Therefore, this wrapper material complies with
standard production processes of cigarillos or cigars. The
air-cured tobacco generally has a fermented or ammonia-like taste.
Air-cured tobacco is used a wrapper material also due to its
optical appearance, as the wrapper is the outmost layer of the
cigarillo or cigar and therefore determines the structural
appearance and color of the cigar or cigarillo. Together with the
binder containing solavetivone delivering a sweet taste, a more
balanced and harmonized overall taste of the cigarillo or cigar is
achieved, while the optical appearance of the cigarillo or cigar is
not modified compared to a standard cigarillo or cigar.
[0015] According to another embodiment the wrapper consists of
Burley tobacco. In combination with a binder containing
solavetivone, a Burley tobacco wrapper delivers the desired
cigarette-like sensory experience of the cigarillo or cigar. Burley
tobacco is also broadly available, so the raw material for the
production of this embodiment can be easily provided. Burley
tobacco generally has an ammonia-like taste with nutty and/or
chocolate-like notes. Together with the binder containing
solavetivone delivering a sweet taste, a more balanced and
harmonized overall taste of the cigarillo or cigar is achieved.
[0016] Depending on the use of air-cured or Burley tobacco as
wrapper, a slightly different overall-taste profile is achieved.
Both embodiments may be produced side by side. This enables the
consumer to choose the specific taste profile by preference.
[0017] According to another embodiment the wrapper has a total
sugar content of less than 3%. Together with the solavetivone of
the binder, this sugar content of less than 3% in the wrapper will
further improve the desired cigarette-like sensory experience of
the cigarillo or cigar.
[0018] According to another embodiment the fine-cut tobacco leaves
of the cut filler consist of American Blend tobacco leaf mixture.
American Blend tobacco is widely used for cigarettes. In addition
to the solavetivone in the binder, the American Blend tobacco will
contribute to the cigarette-like sensory experience of the
cigarillo or cigar. The taste of an American Blend cut filler has a
rich body, a high flavor intensity, is smooth and comprises fruity,
nutty, caramel sweet notes. An American Blend cut filler delivers a
high level of tobacco taste. This leads to a medium to high impact
on the overall taste of the cigarillo or cigar. The American Blend
tobacco further reduces the taste impact of the wrapper.
Ammonia-notes from the wrapper are balanced out. This reduces the
cigar-like aroma and leads to a cigarette-like overall taste of the
cigarillo or cigar. Also, the American Blend cut filler in
combination with the binder and wrapper generates an individual
overall taste profile with notes of bitter chocolate, nuts and
caramel sweetness.
[0019] According to another embodiment the fine-cut tobacco leaves
of the cut filler consist of Virginia tobacco. Virginia tobacco is
a widely used tobacco type in cigarettes. Therefore, it will
contribute to the cigarette-like sensory experience of the
cigarillo or cigar. It will also give the cigarillo or cigar a
different sensory experience compared to the use of American blend
tobacco as a cut filler. Virginia tobacco comprises a natural
tobacco taste with sweetness. Virginia tobacco is high in aroma.
Virginia tobacco has a medium impact on the overall taste of the
cigarillo or cigar. In combination with wrapper and binder, the
Virginia tobacco as cut filler balances the impact of the wrapper
by masking the ammonia-notes. Therefore, Virginia tobacco as cut
filler further contributes to the cigarette-like overall taste of
the cigarillo or cigar. Also, it enhances a chocolate-like
character, generating an individual overall taste profile in
comparison to other cut fillers. This makes it possible to offer
different types of cigarillos or cigars with different cut-filler
materials, which all have a cigarette-like overall taste. This
makes it possible to offer the consumer a more personalizes sensory
experience, while still providing a cigarette-like overall
taste.
[0020] According to another embodiment the fine-cut tobacco leaves
of the cut filler consist of a modified American Blend tobacco leaf
mixture. Such a mixture will even more open the possibility to
adapt the sensory experience of the cigarillo or cigar to various
preferences by adding and/or subtracting portions of certain leaf
types. Such mixtures are frequently used in cigarettes, which will
contribute to the cigarette-like taste of the cigarillo or
cigar.
[0021] According to another embodiment the fine-cut tobacco leaves
of the cut filler consist of a modified Virginia tobacco. Modified
Virginia tobacco is also widely used in cigarettes. Therefore it
will contribute to the cigarette-like sensory experience of the
cigarillo or cigar. Again, this type of cut-filler provides a
slightly different taste compared to American Blend tobacco,
Virginia tobacco or modified American Blend tobacco leaf mixture.
In consequence, the sensory-experience of the cigarillo or cigar
can be adapted to local preferences. It is also easily possible to
simultaneously offer different embodiments in the market, which all
contain the solavetivone in the binder but comprise a different
cut-filler material and therefore slightly different sensory
experiences, without major changes in the manufacturing process.
Only the cut-filler material has to be exchanged. This is very
similar to different types or brands of cigarettes which all have
certain common aspects in their sensory experience compared to a
standard cigarillo or cigar but all slightly differ in taste
compared to each other. This enables the consumer to choose a
cigarillo or cigar with a cigarette-like sensory experience that
also complies with the personal taste requirements.
[0022] The objective of the invention is also reached by the use of
a binder containing the aromatic compound solavetivone with a
content in the binder of at least 15 ppm in a cigarillo or cigar.
The use of such a binder containing solavetivone is highly
advantageous, as it off-sets the strong taste from the wrapper of
the cigarillo or cigar and creates a more cigarette-like sensory
experience for consumers who like the sensory experience of
cigarettes better over the sensory experience of a standard
cigarillo or cigar. By just changing the binder and leaving the
wrapper and cut-filler of the cigarillo or cigar as in standard
cigarillos or cigars, the invention is extraordinary easy to
produce, as standard cigarillo or cigar making facilities can be
used. There is no further investment necessary to start the
production. This makes the invention easy to implement and cost
effective.
[0023] According to another embodiment a binder is used, which
consists of flue cured Virginia tobacco containing the aromatic
compound solavetivone. To provide a binder with solavetivone, the
use of flue cured Virginia tobacco advantageous, as this tobacco
naturally contains solavetivone. This means, that there will be no
additional production step necessary to artificially add
solavetivone to the binder material. Also this tobacco is a purely
natural product. Therefore, it is possible to introduce the
aromatic compound solavetivone into a cigarillo or cigar without
the addition of artificial and/or chemical substances. Flue cured
Virginia tobacco is also commercially available. This ensures the
continuous supply of raw material for the production of the
cigarillo or cigar.
[0024] Solavetivone a substance, which generates a sweet flavor or
aroma. The molecular formula of solavetivone is:
##STR00001##
[0025] Solavetivone (C.sub.15H.sub.22O) occurs naturally in flue
cured Virginia tobacco. It is a stress compound produced by the
tobacco plant itself. Solavetivone serves in the tobacco plant as a
metabolite and phytoalexin. The level of solavetivone in the leaves
is influenced during the growth stage by physical damage,
UV-radiation, temperature, moisture content, infections with
tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), infections with cucumber mosaic virus
(CMV), further plant diseases, bacterial wilt and/or metabolites of
bacteria. Preferably, flue cured Virginia tobacco with a
solavetivone content as high as possible but with at least 15 ppm
solavetivone is used. The taste profile of the used flue cured
Virginia tobacco and/or the overall taste profile of the cigarillo
or cigar may be controlled by flavor analysis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Further advantages, objectives and features of the present
invention will be described, by way of example only, in the
following description with reference to the appended figures. In
the figures, like components in different embodiments can exhibit
the same reference symbols. The figures show:
[0027] FIG. 1 a schematic view of a cigarillo (1) or cigar;
[0028] FIG. 2 a detailed view of the binder (3).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] In the following reference will be made to a cigarillo (1).
Nevertheless, the possible embodiment of a cigar instead of a
cigarillo (1) is always included when referring to the cigarillo
(1).
[0030] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the cigarillo 1. The
cigarillo 1 has a cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis L
protruding through the centers of the two base faces 1a, 1b. The
cut filler 2 comprises nearly the same cylindrical shape as the
cigarillo 1 but slightly smaller in diameter. The binder 3 and
wrapper 4 are wrapped around the cylindrical rod of cut filler 2 in
a rotary-translational manner. Rotary-translational manner means
that binder 3 and wrapper 4 are wrapped around the cylindrical rod
of cut filler in a movement comprising two components. The first
component is a rotation of the binder 3 and/or wrapper 4 around the
longitudinal axis L. The second component is a translation of the
binder 3 and/or wrapper 4 in a direction parallel to the
longitudinal axis L. By a superposition of the two components a
rotary-translational movement of binder 3 and or wrapper 4 is
realized. This arrangement of binder 3 and wrapper 4 around the cut
filler is similar to a spiral.
[0031] As a first layer, the binder 3 is wrapped around the cut
filler 2. The wrapper 4 is wrapped around the binder 3 and cut
filler 2 as a second layer. This arranges the binder 3 in direct
contact with the cut filler 2 and the wrapper 4. The binder 3 is in
direct contact with the cut filler on the inside 5 of the binder 3,
which is arranged towards the center of the cigarillo 1. The binder
3 is in direct contact with wrapper 4 on the outside 6 of the
binder 3. The wrapper 4 is arranged in direct contact with the
binder 3. The wrapper 4 is in direct contact with the binder 3 on
the inside 7 of the wrapper 4. The outside 8 of the wrapper 4
denotes the outer surface of the cigarillo 1. In other words, the
binder 3 and wrapper 4 are arranged in a double layer enclosing the
cut filler 2. The binder 3 denotes the inner layer of the double
layer and the wrapper 4 denotes the outer layer of the double
layer.
[0032] By using a binder 3 containing solavetivone, the
solavetivone is positioned in the double layer. This position of
the solavetivone very close to the wrapper 4 is beneficial, e.g.
compared to a solavetivone-containing cut filler 2, as the
solavetivone is mainly needed to harmonize the strong taste impact
of the wrapper 4.
[0033] In a completed cigarillo, the binder 3 and wrapper 4 form a
double layer, which encloses the cut filler. With the additional
material thickness of binder 3 and wrapper 4, the slightly smaller
cylindrical shape of the cut filler 2 rod adds to the total
cylindrical shape of the cigarillo 1.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the binder 3. The binder 3
preferably always comprises a similar shape. This will simplify the
use of machines for cigarillo production. Nevertheless, it is also
possible to use a whole tobacco leaf as binder 3. As the outer
surface of the cigarillo 1 is formed by the outside 8 of the
wrapper 4 and the wrapper 4 completely covers the binder 3, the
optical appearance of the binder 3 is negligible.
[0035] The applicant reserves his right to claim all features
disclosed in the application document as being an essential feature
of the invention, as long as they are new, individually or in
combination, in view of the prior art. Furthermore, it is noted
that in the figures features are described, which can be
advantageous individually. Someone skilled in the art will directly
recognize that a specific feature being disclosed in a figure can
be advantageous also without the adoption of further features from
this figure. Furthermore, someone skilled in the art will recognize
that advantages can evolve from a combination of diverse features
being disclosed in one or various figures.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0036] 1 cigarillo [0037] 1a, 1b base face [0038] 2 cut filler
[0039] 3 binder [0040] 4 wrapper [0041] 5 inside of binder [0042] 6
outside of binder [0043] 7 inside of wrapper [0044] 8 outside of
wrapper [0045] L longitudinal axis
* * * * *