US4215706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nicotine transfer process
Assignee: Lorillard Inc
•
Filing: 1978-10-13
•
Granted: 1980-08-05
•
Expires: 1998-10-13
Abstract
Abstract Tobacco (donor tobacco) is contacted with a receiving substrate which has been treated with a strong acid or an ammonium salt of a strong acid. Part of the nicotine in the donor tobacco is transferred from the donor tobacco to the receiving substrate. Thereafter the donor tobacco and the substrate may be separated. The donor tobacco has a reduced nicotine content and hence more desirable for use in a smoking product. Where the receiving substrate is a low nicotine tobacco by-product (or artificial smoking material) said substrate, enriched in nicotine as a result of the transfer, may be used as a filler material for smoking products.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas M. Larson
- 👤 Thomas B. Moring
- 👤 M. Sue Ireland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:06
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B15/00; A24B15/18; A24B15/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A process for transferring nicotine from a donor tobacco to a substrate comprising the steps: (a) contacting the substrate with a solution of a strong acid or an ammonium salt of a strong acid in order to impregnate or deposit on the substrate an amount of said acid or salt; (b) drying the substrate; and (c) contacting the donor tobacco with the substrate under effective conditions for a length of time sufficient to effect a transfer of nicotine from the donor tobacco to the substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A process for transferring nicotine from a donor tobacco to a substrate comprising the steps: (a) contacting the substrate with a solution of a strong acid or an ammonium salt of a strong acid in order to impregnate or deposit on the substrate an amount of said acid or salt; (b) drying the substrate; and (c) contacting the donor tobacco with the substrate under effective conditions for a length of time sufficient to effect a transfer of nicotine from the donor tobacco to the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the pKa of the strong acid is about 3.5 or less.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the strong acid is selected from the group consisting of phosphoric, tartaric, citric, sulfuric, malic, and lactic acids and combinations thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the ammonium salt of the strong acid is selected from the group consisting of diammonium phosphate, diammonium sulfate, diammonium citrate, ammonium chloride and combinations thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the strong acid or ammonium salt of a strong acid with which the substrate is contacted, ranges from about 1% to about 10%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 5, wherein said concentration ranges from about 5% to about 10%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the amount of strong acid or ammonium salt of a strong acid deposited on or impregnated in the substrate ranges from about 1% to about 25% by weight.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein the amount of acid or salt deposited on or impregnated in the substrate is from about 10 to 25% by weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the donor tobacco and substrate are contacted by mixing said tobacco and substrate so that said materials are in substantial intimate mutual contact.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the donor tobacco and substrate while contacting each other are heated at a temperature not in excess of about 105° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 10, wherein the temperature ranges between about 60° C. to about 95° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the donor tobacco and substrate while in contact with each other are stored at room temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a tobacco substance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a non tobacco substance.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-05 | 1984-02-04 | 1984-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-05 | 1988-02-04 | 1988-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-05 | 1992-02-04 | 1992-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |