GB1143500A - Smoking products - Google Patents

Abstract

1,143,500. Tobacco substitute. SUTTON RESEARCH CORP. 23 Oct., 1967 [21 Nov., 1966], No. 48033/67. Heading A2C. [Also in Division C3] Cellulose, e.g. delignified wood pulp of 80-100% purity, is oxidized using liquid nitrogen dioxide, whereby, e.g. 80-100% oxidation, expressed as polygalacturonic content, may be effected. Advantageously, oxygen is passed through the reaction mixture and a small amount of water is present. The product is useful in smoking mixtures, and to this end the following steps are followed: (1) The product is washed with water and/or organic solvents and treated sequentially with an alkali metal hydride or borohydride and with a source of hydrogen peroxide. (2) This product is mineralized to produce an ashcontent, on combustion, of 10-25%. Suitable salts for this are the oxalates, glycolates, diglycolates, lactates, pivalates and tannates of Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, Li and K. They may be incorporated by direct soaking, or by chemical reactions involving direct salt deposition on the cellulosic substrate. In the case of Ca oxalate, this may be incorporated in the cellulose before oxidation, obviating the need for step (2). (3) As glow sustainer, potassium or potassium hydrogen oxalate is incorporated. The final product, as thin paper, e.g. cigarette or cigar wrappers, shredded strands or powder may be used on its own, or in admixture with tobacco.