Patent AU-2015100914-A4 (AU)
Title: Nicotine Free Organic Tobacco Cigarette with biodegradable filter.
Inventor: PISACANE NICOLA
IPC: A24D3/06
Filed: 2015-07-10
Granted: 2015-08-06
Abstract: Manufacturers of Nicotine Free Organic Tobacco Cigarette with a biodegradable filter IP Australia - Innovation patent - Abstract* IP Australia Account Details: Nicola Pisacane 3/18 Leichhardt St, Leichhardt, 2040, Sydney, NSW. Tel: 02 9560 2047 Email: nicola.pisacanell@gmail.com Nicotine Free Organic Tobacco Cigarette with natural biodegradable filter. Abstract* 1. This new Nicotine Free Organic Tobacco cigarette product provides those currently addicted to standard cigarettes the alternative way to stop smoking or the option of smoking without addiction. 2. The biodegradable filter makes the cigarette more sustainable and environmental friendly. 3. The new Nicotine Free Organic Tobacco is less harmful to human health and is less prone or susceptible to causing cancer. Process Used to De-Nicotine Tobacco Leaves: 4. The chemical process uses either methylene chloride or ethyl acetate to bind to the nicotine molecule and remove it from the tobacco leaves. The reason tobacco that is de-nicotine with these processes is so cheap is that the nicotine can be quickly resold to an electronic cigarette, and nicotine patches manufacturers, etc. 5. Tobacco leaves are also de-nicotined with an elaborate water process and other variations in which Green Tobacco leaves are soaked in water, which leaches the nicotine out. The trick is then how to replace the flavour elements that are also removed in the water leaching process - the various water processes use different means to do this with varying degrees of effectiveness 6. "A mixture of water and moist tobacco is circulated within the extraction. After a predetermined time, the vessel that has been exposed to the de-nicotine process is extract is isolated and emptied. The de-nicotine tobacco leaves are then rinsed and dried, and a vessel containing fresh green tobacco is put on stream. The nicotine-rich extract that was drawn off from the vessel Nicola Pisacane @ 26.06.2015 Page 1 of 2 Manufacturers of Nicotine Free Organic Tobacco Cigarette with a biodegradable filter containing the fresh, tobacco leaves is passed through a bed of activated charcoal, which absorbs the nicotine. This charcoal has been pre-treated with a carbohydrate, typically sucrose that helps it absorb caffeine without removing other compounds that contribute to the flavour of the tobacco leaves. 7. The sucrose blocks carbon sites that would normally absorb sugars from the liquid, tobacco leaves extract. The nicotine-reduced extract can then be reused to begin the process anew. The water process is natural (that is, it does not involve any chemicals), but it is not very specific for tobacco leaves; it removes 94 to 96 percent of the nicotine. 8. The second tobacco de-nicotine method is the direct solvent method. This technique usually employs methylene chloride or Ethyl acetate that is an ester that is found naturally in fruits and vegetables such as bananas, and apples. 9. The liquid solvent is circulated through a bed of moist, tobacco leafs, removing some of the nicotine; the solvent is then recaptured in an evaporator, and the leaves are washed with water. Residues of the solvent are removed from the tobacco leafs to trace levels by steaming the tobacco leafs. Often this process utilises batch processing--that is, the solvent is added to the vessel, circulated and emptied several times until the tobacco leafs has been de-nicotine to the desired level. Solvents are used because they are more precisely targeted to nicotine, leaving behind nearly all the non-nicotine leaf solids. The more nicotine-specific solvents, such as methylene chlorides, can extract 96 to 97 percent of the nicotine. 10. The third approach, supercritical carbon dioxide de-nicotine, is very similar to the direct solvent methods, except that in this case the solvent is carbon dioxide. High-pressure vessels (operating at roughly 250 to 300 times atmospheric pressure) are employed to circulate the carbon dioxide through a bed of pre-moistened, tobacco leaves. At such pressures, carbon dioxide takes on unique, 'supercritical' properties that enhance its usefulness as a solvent. Supercritical carbon dioxide has a density like that of a liquid, but its viscosity and diffusivity are similar to those of a gas. 11. These attributes significantly lower its pumping costs. Carbon dioxide is a popular solvent because it has a relatively low-pressure critical point, and it is naturally abundant. The nicotine-rich carbon dioxide exiting the extraction vessel is either channelled through a bed of activated charcoal or through water 'bath' tower to absorb the nicotine. The carbon dioxide is then recirculated back to the extraction vessel. Supercritical carbon dioxide de-nicotine is capital cost intensive, but it offers excellent yields. It typically can extract 96 to 98 percent of the nicotine initially present in the tobacco leaves. Nicola Pisacane @ 26.06.2015 Page 2 of 2