Biodegradable dual density filter cigarette

Abstract

The present invention relates to a biodegradable dual density cigarette. The invention provides for a cost-effective process that ensures that the non-filter cigarette has smoke delivery quality comparable to that of a conventional filter cigarette. The invention also substantially reduces the tar and nicotine contents. The dual density cigarette is biodegradable and therefore environment friendly.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A biodegradable dual density cigarette comprising a tobacco or filler rod and butt portion joined to each other longitudinally in a ratio of 5:1 wherein the tobacco rod is a blend of tobacco wrapped in a cigarette paper at a pressure drop of 22 to 50 mm of water column, the butt portion comprising at least cut-roll stem particles of expanded fibres of density of at least 0.28/cc wrapped in a porous paper of at least 100 mm water column.  
     
     
         2 . A biodegradable dual density cigarette, according to  claim 1 , wherein the blend of tobacco comprises 75 to 85% of lamina and 15 to 25% of the expanded stem fibres (CRS).  
     
     
         3 . A biodegradable dual density cigarette, according to  claim 2 , wherein the lamina is normal density tobacco of 4-6 cc/gm at the rate of 12.5% oven volatile preferably 5-6 cc/gm at the rate of 12.5% oven volatile.  
     
     
         4 . A biodegradable dual density cigarette, according to  claim 2 , wherein the expanded stem is 4-7 cc/gm at the rate of 12-5% oven volatile preferably 6-7 cc/gm at the rate of 12.5% oven volatile.  
     
     
         5 . A biodegradable dual density cigarette, according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure drop in the filler or tobacco rod is 5-9 water column per mm. of filler and while the pressure drop in the butt portion is 3-4 water column per mm.  
     
     
         6 . A biodegradable dual density cigarette, according to  claim 2 , wherein the expanded stem is the mid rib of tobacco plant leaf having lower nicotinic content and higher chloride content.  
     
     
         7 . A biodegradable dual density cigarette, according to  claim 2 , wherein the butt portion is wrapped in a porous paper having a resistance to burning compared to the cigarette paper of the filler rod.  
     
     
         8 . A biodegradable dual density cigarette, according to  claim 2 , wherein the said butt portion comprising a mixture of tobacco fibre, tobacco dust with binders and lower grade of tobacco.  
     
     
         9 . A process for manufacturing of biodegradable dual densities cigarette comprising the steps of: 
 subjecting the stem of the tobacco leaf to a conventional conditioning process for 10 to 20 minutes at 30-40° C. to quench the moisture uniformly;    passing the said quenched stem through conditioning tunnel or through a flattner or a roller to flatten the stem;    cutting the stem into small particles of the size 30 to 180 cpi;    cutting the small particles through an expansion heated tunnel at a temperature of 100 to 103° C. for a period of 20 to 30 seconds;    passing the said particles through a drier and a classifier to obtain a cut roll stem (CDRS);    cooling the CDRS at room temperature by storing in boxes rolled humidifier;    encapsulating the cooled cut rolled stem in a filter wrapping paper to obtain the filter butt;    processing the filler or tobacco end with tobacco in the conventional manner;    joining the butt portion in the conventional manner to obtain the biodegradable filler cigarette.