Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A coated reconstituted tobacco product having a hydrophobic film coating at least one surface thereof, the hydrophobic film consisting essentially of a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 1% by weight, and a content of acyl groups having more than 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10 % by weight, the coating providing an appearance, taste, aroma and feel, substantially equivalent to that of a natural tobacco leaf, before and during burning.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A coated reconstituted tobacco product having a hydrophobic film coating at least one surface thereof, the hydrophobic film consisting essentially of a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 1% by weight, and a content of acyl groups having more than 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10 % by weight, the coating providing an appearance, taste, aroma and feel, substantially equivalent to that of a natural tobacco leaf, before and during burning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The coated tobacco product in claim 1 wherein the reconstituted tobacco product is a reconstituted tobacco sheet material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coated product of claim 1 wherein the propionyl content of the cellulose propionate is in the range of from about 30% to about 59% by weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
154 words
A coated reconstituted tobacco product having a hydrophobic film coating at least one surface thereof, the hydrophobic film comprising a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 1% by weight and a content of acyl groups having more than three carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight, and not more than about 400% by weight of the cellulose propionate of a glyceride having the formula: ##STR3## wherein at least one of the groups R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is a lower acyl group containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, at least another of these groups represents a higher acyl group having more than about 6 carbon atoms, and any remaining R-group being hydrogen, the coating providing an appearance, taste, aroma and feel, substantially equivalent to that of a natural tobacco leaf, before and during burning.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
154 words
A coated reconstituted tobacco product having a hydrophobic film coating at least one surface thereof, the hydrophobic film comprising a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 1% by weight and a content of acyl groups having more than three carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight, and not more than about 400% by weight of the cellulose propionate of a glyceride having the formula: ##STR3## wherein at least one of the groups R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is a lower acyl group containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, at least another of these groups represents a higher acyl group having more than about 6 carbon atoms, and any remaining R-group being hydrogen, the coating providing an appearance, taste, aroma and feel, substantially equivalent to that of a natural tobacco leaf, before and during burning.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The product of claim 4 wherein the lower acyl group is an acetyl group.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coated product of claim 5 wherein the higher acyl group is a saturated group having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The coated product of claim 6 wherein the coating is cross-linked to increase water-resistance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The coated product of claim 7 wherein the coating has a thickness of not greater than about 0.001 centimeters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coated product of claim 4 wherein the hydroxyl content of the cellulose propionate is at least about 2% by weight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coated product of claim 9 wherein the propionyl content of the cellulose propionate is in the range of from about 42% to about 51% by weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coated product of claim 4 wherein the hydroxyl content of the cellulose propionate is at least about 3% by weight.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coated product of claim 11 wherein the propionyl content of the cellulose propionate is in the range of from about 30% to about 42% by weight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The coated product of claim 12 wherein the hydroxyl content is at least about 4% by weight.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The coated tobacco product of claim 4 wherein the tobacco product is a reconstituted tobacco sheet material and wherein the propionyl content of the cellulose propionate is in the range of from about 30% to about 59% by weight.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
79 words
The coated reconstituted tobacco product of claim 4 wherein the ratio by weight of the cellulose propionate to the glyceride, in the hydrophobic film, is in the range of from about 10:1 to about 1:4, and wherein at least one of R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is an acetyl group, at least a second of R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is a saturated group containing from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
138 words
A coating composition, especially adapted for forming a hydrophobic film on reconstituted tobacco product, the composition comprising a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 1% by weight, and a content of acyl groups containing more than 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight; and a glyceride having the general formula: ##STR4## wherein at least one of the groups R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is a lower acyl group containing from about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, at least another of said groups is a higher acyl group comprising more than about 6 carbon atoms and any remaining groups being hydrogen; dissolved in a volatile solvent; the proportion of cellulose propionate-to-glyceride being from about 10:1 to about 1:4.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
138 words
A coating composition, especially adapted for forming a hydrophobic film on reconstituted tobacco product, the composition comprising a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 1% by weight, and a content of acyl groups containing more than 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight; and a glyceride having the general formula: ##STR4## wherein at least one of the groups R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is a lower acyl group containing from about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, at least another of said groups is a higher acyl group comprising more than about 6 carbon atoms and any remaining groups being hydrogen; dissolved in a volatile solvent; the proportion of cellulose propionate-to-glyceride being from about 10:1 to about 1:4.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coating composition of claim 16 wherein the cellulose propionate has a hydroxyl content of at least about 4% by weight.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coating composition of claim 17 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of isopropanol, n-propanol, ethanol and methanol.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The coating composition of claim 17 wherein the volatile solvent is an alkanol having up to about 6 carbon atoms.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coating composition of claim 19 wherein the volatile solvent is a co-solvent comprising an alkanol having up to about 4 carbon atoms and water.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The coating composition of claim 20 wherein the proportion of water in the co-solvent is not more than about 35% by weight of solvent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coating composition of claim 16 wherein the total dissolved solids content of the glyceride plus cellulose propionate is in the range of greater than about 10% by weight of the total solution.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coating composition of claim 22 wherein the viscosity of the solution is not greater than about 300 cps at 25° C.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The coating composition of claim 17 wherein the total solids content is in the range of about 10% to about 25% by weight of the solution.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The coating composition of claim 24 wherein the viscosity is in the range of about 14 to about 160 cps.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
67 words
The coating composition of claim 16 wherein at least one of R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is an acetyl group, at least a second of R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is a saturated group containing from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, and wherein the proportion of cellulose propionate-to-glyceride is in the range of from about 4:1 to about 1:1.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coating composition of claim 16 wherein the hydroxyl content of the cellulose propionate is at least about 2% by weight.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The coating composition of claim 27 wherein the hydroxyl content of the cellulose propionate is at least about 3% by weight.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coating composition of claim 28 wherein the propionyl content of the cellulose propionate is in the range of from about 30% to about 42% by weight.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The coating composition of claim 27 wherein the propionyl content of the cellulose propionate is in the range of from about 42% to about 51% by weight.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for applying a hydrophobic film onto at least one surface of a product, the process comprising applying to the surface of the product a coating composition comprising a solution in a co-solvent of an alcohol and water, of a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 3% by weight, and a content of acyl groups having more than 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight, and permitting the evaporation of the solvent so as to form a hydrophobic film covering the surface of the product.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for applying a hydrophobic film onto at least one surface of a product, the process comprising applying to the surface of the product a coating composition comprising a solution in a co-solvent of an alcohol and water, of a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 3% by weight, and a content of acyl groups having more than 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight, and permitting the evaporation of the solvent so as to form a hydrophobic film covering the surface of the product.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
145 words
A process for coating a reconstituted tobacco product formed by a process comprising shaping a suspension of particulate tobacco and a suitable binder into a desired shape, and heating the shaped reconstituted tobacco product so as to remove the suspension liquid, to reach a moisture content of a desired value, the coating process comprising applying to the uncooled, dried reconstituted tobacco product a coating composition comprising a solution of a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 3% by weight and a content of acyl groups of more than 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight, dissolved in a co-solvent system comprising an alkanol and water, and permitting the evaporation of the solvent so as to form the continuous film over the coated surface of the shaped tobacco product.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
145 words
A process for coating a reconstituted tobacco product formed by a process comprising shaping a suspension of particulate tobacco and a suitable binder into a desired shape, and heating the shaped reconstituted tobacco product so as to remove the suspension liquid, to reach a moisture content of a desired value, the coating process comprising applying to the uncooled, dried reconstituted tobacco product a coating composition comprising a solution of a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 3% by weight and a content of acyl groups of more than 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight, dissolved in a co-solvent system comprising an alkanol and water, and permitting the evaporation of the solvent so as to form the continuous film over the coated surface of the shaped tobacco product.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
160 words
A coated reconstituted tobacco product having a hydrophobic film coating one surface thereof, the hydrophobic film comprising a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 1% by weight, and a content of acyl groups having more than 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight, and a glyceride having the formula: ##STR5## wherein at least one of the groups R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is a lower acyl group containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, at least another of these groups represents a higher acyl group having more than about 6 carbon atoms, and any remaining R-group being hydrogen, the proportion of the cellulose propionate to glyceride being in the range of from about 4:1 to about 1:1, the coating providing an appearance, taste, aroma and feel, substantially equivalent to that of a natural tobacco leaf, before and during burning.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
160 words
A coated reconstituted tobacco product having a hydrophobic film coating one surface thereof, the hydrophobic film comprising a cellulose propionate having an acetyl content of less than about 6% by weight, a hydroxyl content of at least about 1% by weight, and a content of acyl groups having more than 3 carbon atoms of less than about 10% by weight, and a glyceride having the formula: ##STR5## wherein at least one of the groups R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 is a lower acyl group containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, at least another of these groups represents a higher acyl group having more than about 6 carbon atoms, and any remaining R-group being hydrogen, the proportion of the cellulose propionate to glyceride being in the range of from about 4:1 to about 1:1, the coating providing an appearance, taste, aroma and feel, substantially equivalent to that of a natural tobacco leaf, before and during burning.