Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ 07196~
j This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus
for decorating sheet material such as, for example, a manufactured
cigar wrapper, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus
for embossing a predetermined pattern such as, for example, a vein
pattern, on such sheet material.
~ his application is a divisional applicatlon of copending
application No. 281,472 filed June 27, 1977.
The present invention is particularly useful in embossing
a vein pattern, similar to the vein pattern of a naturally appear-
ing tobacco leaf, on a manufactured cigar wrapper. Cigarsgenerally are wrapped with either a natural tobacco leaf or a
manufactured wrapper which includes a mixture of natural tobacco,
adhesives and cellulosic fibers.
The advantage of using a manufactured cig~r wrapper
rather than a natural tobacco leaf resides in its ccnsiderably
lower cost and the increased ability to manipulate both taste and
aroma by the addition of appropriate additives. The natural
tobacco leaf has, historically, been the symbol of a quality
cigar and, accordingly, it has been a goal of cigar manufacturers
¦ 20 to simulate the appearance of a natural tobacco leaf wrappers on
manufactured wrappers.
To this end, cigar wrapper manuacturers have, on
numerous occasions, attempted to print or draw a natural vein
pattern on a sheet of manufactured cigar wrapper. For example, -
British Patent No. 14,494, which issued to William ~atson on
November lr 1884, teaches the embossing, stamping or printing of
natural tobacco leaf designs on manufactured tobacco paper.
Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 2,316,785, which issued to Frederick
C. Gladeck on April 20, 1943, discloses
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the embossing o a sheet of manufactured tobacco wrapper with a
pattern which simulates leaf tobacco. See also, in this
regard, U.S. Patent No. 3,145,717 which issued to F.H. Osborne,
et al. on ~ugust 25, 1964 and which discloses the calendering ¦
or embossing of a sheet of manufactured cigar wrapper with a
leaf design having stems and veins.
A particular problem experienced by cigar wrapper
manufacturers in embossing or engraving such a veined pattern
on the manuactured cigar wrapper is that during subsequent
.10 manufactur ng operations and during use, as -the sheet is
stretched, the raised vein pattern is stretched flat and is
thus removed. This is particularly true when the humidity of
the wrapper rises. Prior art attempts at embossing or
printing vein patterns on manufact~red cigar wrappers have
not, heretofore, been successful because the generally u~iform
color of the manufactured wrappers did not appear natural
when compared to the landomly colored natural tobacco leaf.
Against the foregoing background, it is a primary objective
of the present invention to provide methods of and apparatus
for decorating sheet material such as, for example, manufac-
tured cigar wrappers.
It is another object of the present invention to provide
me~hods of and apparatus for emboss~ng a predetermined
pattern on sheet material such as, for example, a manufactured
cigar wrapper, which will not be removed during subsequent
processing operations and during use. ;
It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a method of and apparatus for imparting a base color
and a shade color pattern on the embossed sheet material such
as, for example, a man~factured cigar wrapper.
It is a further ~bj~ct of the present invention to provide
a method of and apparattls for imparting a base color and shade
pattèrn on the embossed shee~ material such as, for example, a
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manufactured cigar wrapper, and then laminating thereto, in a
symbiotic relationship, a second sheet having similar or dissimilar
properties to that of the embossed and colored sheet.
It is yet still a further object of the present invention
to provide an efficient, economical and commercially accepted
method of and apparatus for decorating cigar wrapper material.
In copending application No. 281,472 there is claimed
a sheet of manufactured cigar wrapper material having opposed
surfaces and a pre-determined cross-sectional thickness, said
wrapper having a vein-like pattern embossed through said cross-
sectional thickness to form a raised vein-like pattern on one of
said opposed surfaces and a complimentary depressed vein-like
!j pattern on said opposite surface, wherein the depressed pattern
on said opposed surface is filled with a filler material in order
to reinforce said embossed pattern. The copending application
281,472 also claims a cigar having a manufactured warpper with
opposed surfaces and a pre-determined cross-sectional thickness,
said wrapper having a vein-like pattern embossed through said
cross-sectional thickness to form a raised vein-like pattern on one
of said opposed surfaces and a complimentary depressed vein-like
pattern on said opposite surface, wherein the depressed pattern on
sald opposed surface is filled with a filler material in order to
reinforce said embossed pattern.
The present invention, in brief summary, comprises
apparatus and methods for coloring and decorating sheet material
3 such as, for example, manufactured cigar wrappers.
According to the present invention there is provided
apparatus for decorating sheet material, said apparatus comprising
a central sheet guide means about which is positioned, feeder
means for drawing said sheet material toward and around said guide
means, decorating means for imparting a decorative pattern on said
she~ material, coloring means for coloring said sheet material,
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and drawing means for drawing said sheet material from said guide
means.
~ The present invention also provides a method for
decorating sheet material, said method comprising the steps of,
feeding said sheet material toward and around a central guide
means, imparting a decorative pattern on said sheet material,
j coloring said sheet material, and drawing said sheet material
from said central guide means.
Thus the apparatus includes a rotatably mounted center
cylinder about which is positioned an embossing roller for emboss-
S ing a pattern on said sheet material at elevated temperature and
;j pressure, coloring means for coloring said sheet material a pre-
' determined color, shading means for randomly shading said sheet
j material with a predetermined shade pattern, and reinforcing means
~or applying a filler material on one side of the embossed sheet
material to fill and thus reinforce the recessed portions of the
embossed pattern. Staining, coating and humidifying means may
also be provided.
An alternate preferred embodiment uses similar apparatus
to decorate, color, shade and reinforce one sheet and then provides
~ laminating means to laminate this sheet to a second sheet.
3 Similarly, staining, coating and humidifying means may also be
provided.
The present invention will be further described by way
of the accompanying drawings wherein:
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968
FIG. 1 illustrates in schematic form the decorating
apparatus of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates in schematic form an alternate em- I
bodiment of the decorating apparatus of FIG. l wherein two
sheets are laminated together after decoration;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the
embossing station of the apparatus of FIGS. l and 2;
FIG. 3A illustrates in schematic form the alternative
forms which the embossing roller forming part of the embossing
station of FIG 3 may assume; :
FIG. 3B is an enlarged, breakway sectional view of the 1 .
embossing roller;
FIG. 3C is a partial front elevational view illustrating
the coope~atinc3 relatiollship between the eml~oss.iny roller
and the center cylin~er; ::
FIG. 3D is a positive print illustrating the ve:in
pattern which is embossed on the sheet material;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, general side elevational view of
the base color station of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2; -
FIG, 4A is an enlarged, general front elevational view of
the base color station of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2
. , FIG. ~B is a front elevational view of the color gravure
roller of ~he base color station;
FIG~ 4C is a front elevational view of the color transfer
roller of the base color station;
FIG. 4D is illustrative of the sheet material after the
vein pattern and base color have been applied;
. FIG. 5 is an enlarged, general side elevational view of
. the shadiny station of the apparatus of FIGS. l and 2 î
FIG. 5A is a front elevational view of the shacle gravure
roller of the shacli;)~ .st~tion;
¦ ~IG. SB is ill~lstrative of the sheet material afte.r the
ruln p~ttern, the base color and the shade pattern have be~n
applied;
l ~IG. 6 is an enlar9ed perspective view of thc r~inforclng
! station of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 6A is a side view of the reinforcing station of FIG. 6;
FIG. 6B is a partial bottom view of the distributlon plate
used in the reinforciny station of FIG. 6;
FIG, 7 is an enlarged, general side elevational view of the
laminating station of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 7A is a front elevational view of the laminating roller;
FIG. 8 is a photograph of a sheet of ciyar wrapper material
decorated using the apparatus of FIGS~ 1 and 2; 1 ; :
FIG. 8A is a partial cross-sectional view of a cigar wrapper i .
decorated using the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2; 1 .
FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view of a decor.ated and
laminated cigar wrapper using the apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIG. 9 illustrates a cigar having a decorated laminated
wrapper produced using the apparatus of FIG. 2; .... :
FIG 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view oE l:he cigar of
FIG. ,9 taken along line 10-10 with exaggerated wrapper thickness.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREE'ERRED EMBODIMENTS i I
_ .
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown schematically the ¦ :
apparatus and method of the present invention as it is used to
decorate and color manufactured sheet material. In this -¦
embodiment, only one layer of sheet material, having a predetermine~ :
thickness with opposed surfaces ~ and B, is preferably coated on at
.25 least one side A with a hydrophobic coat.ing prior to processing ¦
through the apparatus of the present invention. This sheet
material, which may, for example, be a sheet of manufactured cigar ¦ :
wrapper including a mixture of ground tobacco and refined pulp and I ~.
. which measures about 0.003 inches in thickness, is processed
:30 according to the following methods and using the following
apparatus.
As shown in FI~ 1., .i.dentical sheet material is stored on
either a~ lower roll 12 or an upper roll 13 in the unwind
s~atlon 10 with the coated side ~ facing outwardly. The
6~ 1
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~0~1~68
~free end of the undecorated sheet material is first fed
through a splicing unit 14 and toward the center cylinder 24
in such a manner that the uncoated side B is upwardly facing.
Splicing unit 14 permits continuous running of the apparatus
since, as the sheet material on the lower roll 12 is depleted,
similar sheet material from the upper roll 13 may then be
spliced ~y splicing unit 14 into the material from the lower
roll 12. Embossing, coloring and shading stations, 20, 40
and 60 respectively, are positioned about the center cylinder
,10 24. The sheet material passes through ancl about idler take-
up rollers 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D and around center cylinder
24, first passing through the nip between the center cylinder
24 and the embossing rollex 26 where a predetermined pattern
i5 embossed through the thickness of the sheet, forming a
raised pattern on the coated side ~ of the sheet. The
embossed sheet then continues around the center cylinder 24,
where the uncoated side ~ of the sheet is treated with colorants
to simulate a natural tobacco leaf at a base color station
40 and at a shade pattern station 60.
The sheet material, after having passed throuqh the
shade pattern station 60, has a raised, embossed pattern on
the coated surface A thereof, with the uncoated surface B
being colored and shaded. The decorated sheet material is
then removed ~rom the center embossing cylinder 24 at a removal
station lO0. The decorated sheet material may, i desiredj
be coated at a coating station 120 and stained at a staining
station 140. When the sheet material is a manufactured
cigar wrapper, it is desirable to pass the decorated wrapper
through a humidifier 160 which increases the moisture l~vel
of the sheet and tI~us prevents it from tearing or cracking.
The decorated shee~`Ir~terial is then rewound at a rewind
statio~ 180.
FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the method and apparatus
used in decorating one sheet of manufactured sheet material
7196~
and then laminating the decorated sheet to a second, undecorated
sheet. It will be appreciated that this method utilizes
essentially the same apparatus as discussed in FIG. 1 with
certain minor diferences. In the apparatus of the embodiment
of FIG. 2j the sheet material to be decorated is stored on
lower rolls 12 and 12~ and the sheet material to be laminated
to the decorated sheet is stored on the upper rolls 13 and
13A at the unwind station 10 with both sheets being processed
simultaneously. The sheet from the lower rolls 12 and 12A
is processed in an identical manner as the sheet of FIG. 1,
and, after this decoration, coloring and shading, it is then
laminated to the second undecorated sheet from upper rolls ! :
13 and 13A at laminating station 100' of FIG. 2. I~wo lower rolls 1
and 12~ and two upper rolls 13 and 13~ are provided to
permit splicing at splicing units 14 and 16 as a roll is
depl~ted, thus assuring continuous operation of the apparatus.
The detailed description of the various portions of the
apparatus whlch foilows will apply to the apparatus used for
the manufacture of both laminated and non-laminated sheet
material, as shown schematically in E~IGS. 1 and 2, any
differences being specifically noted.
The sheet material to be decorated which, in the embodiment
of FIG. 1 is stored on both the upper and lower rolls 13 and
12, respectively, and, in the embodiment of FIG. 2 is stored
on lower rolls 12 and 12A is first fed from the unwind
station 10 toward the embossing 20, coloring 40 and shadillg
. stations 60, which are positioned about the center cylinder
24. In the embodiment o PIG. 2, where two sheets are
laminated together, sheet material from upper rolls 13 or
13A is fed simultan~ nsly over the top of the cen-ter cylinder
24 and is laminated in juxtaposition to the clecorated sheet
at laminating station 100'.
.',.
When forming dec~r~ted and laminated sheets with tl,
apparatus of FIG. 2, each sheet should have a thickness of
preferably about 0.0015 inches and each is preferably
coated on at least one side A or ~' with a hydrophobic
S coating material such as, for example, a clerivitized cellu-
losic material The hydrophobic coating applied to the
coated side A' of the sheet material from the upper rolls 13
and 13A preferably includes a glyceride in an amount sufficient
to lower the melting point of the coating to below about
400F. The sheet material from the lower rolls 12 and 12A
is also preferably coated on side A with a hydrophobic
coating, similar to the hydrophobic coatin~ applied to
sheet material from the upper rolls 13 and 13A, but not including
glyceride.
lS In the embodiment of FIG. lJwhere sheet material from
upper and lower rolls 13 and 12, respectively are used, the
. sheet material prefer~bly is about 0.003 inches thick and is
coated on side A with a hydrophobic coating.
When the sheet material to be decorated is, for example,
a manufactured cigar wrapper, it preferably includes ground
tobacco, reined pulp, filler materials, adhesives, has a
preferable sheet weight of from about l.Og/ft2 to about
6~0g/ft2 and has ~ moisture level of at least about 19%.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the.coated sheet material to
be decorated is directed through the two rollers 14~ and 14B
which comprise splicing unit 14 of unwind station 10 and -
toward the embossing 20, coloriny 40, shading 60 and reinforcing
80 stations pvsitioned about center cylinder 24. Splicing
unit 14 permits splicing of the sheet material to be decprated
from one roll to anothcr as the one roll is depleted to insure
a continuous feed o~.~n~lterial. ~ second splicing unit 16 is
provide~ for use in the embodiment of FIG. 2 and comprises
rollers 16A and 16B which permit splicing of the sheet materia:l :
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107~96B
¦from one of the upper rolls to the outer roll 13A. Take-up
rollers 22~, 22B, 22C and 22D serve to insure that the sheet
~aterial remains taut throughout processing. The take-up
roller 22D, positioned directly beneath the embossing
station 20 may be a bowed roller such as, for example, a
~ount Hope roller, since such a roller maintains the sheet
~aterial flat and taut during processing.
The coated sheet material to be decorated is flrst
introduced into embossing station 20 where it passes through
the nip between the center cylinder 24 and the embossing
roller 26. Embossing roller 26 is shown in greater detail
in FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B and 3C, FIGS. 3 and 3C illustratinq the
cooperation between the center cylinder 24 and the embossing
roller 26.
~s shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, center cylinder 24, which
is preferably steel with either a chrome-plated or paper
filled outer surface portion, is rotatably mounted on a
frame 18 by means of hub portions 24A which extend from
opposite ends of the center embossing cylinder 24 and are
rotatably journaled in apertures on opposite sides to the
frame 18. The center cylinder 24 has a female recessed
decorative pattern, preferably a veined pattern, on the
outer surface thereof. When the outer surface of the cylinder
24 is paper filled, a synchronized female or recessed decorative
25- pattern may be formed on this surface by mounting the embossing
roller 26, which includes a male or raised pattern on its
outer surface, adjacent the cylinder 24 and then rotating
the cylinder 24 and the embossing roller 26 in opposite
directions to cut a pattern synchronized to the pattern of
the embossing roller 26 into its paper filled outer surface.
When the outer sur~re oE the center cylinder 24 is chrome- -
plated ~teel, the center cylinder 24 and the embossing
roller 26 should be a matched set.
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~07~g68
The embossing roller 26, shown in E`IGS. 3, 3~, 3B and
3C, is rotatably rnounted on the frame 18 adjacent to the
center embossing cylinder 24 so as to permit the sheet
material to pass tllrough the nip between the ~mbossing
roller 26 and the center cylinder 24 when the cylinder 24
and the embossing roller 26 rotate in opposite directions.
The embossing roller 26, which preferably is steel with a
chrome-plated outer surface 26C, includes a male decorative
pattern on the outer surface 26C. Such pattern may be etched
or engraved and is complimentary to the recessed female pattern
on the outer surface of the center cylinder 24. This decorative
pattern is preferably a vein pattern, such as, for example,
the pattern shown in FIG. 3 . As such, when a sheet of
wrapper material is p~ssed through the nip between the embossing
roller 26 and the center cylinder 2~, under elevated heat and
pressure, the patkern on the cylinder 24 arld roller 26 is
embossed into and through the sheet material. ~n engraved
pattern is preferred on the outer surface 26C of the embossing
roller 26 since it produces a more pronounced raised pattern
on the wrapper than an etched pattern would. Both left hand
and right hand leaf patterns may be used on the outer surface
of the embossing roller 26, as shown in FIG. 3A.
ReEerriny back to FIG. 3, embossing roller 26 is also
rotatably and adjustably mounted on the frame 18 by means of
stepped, hub portion 26A which extend from opposite
ends o~ the embossing roller 26 and are rotatably journaled
on ad~ustable mounting supports 28 which are affixed to the
frame 18 at opposite sides thereof. Supports 28, which
permit adjustment of the embossing roller 26 relative to
the center cylinder 2~, include upper and lower plates 28~ and
28B, respectively, ~icll rotatably capture the hub portion -~
26~ of the embossing cylinder 26 and which are secured by ; -
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! retaining or anchor bolts 29A and 29B. Mounting shaft 32,
which interconnects both sides of frame 18, is also secured
to support 28 by means of support plates 28B and 29C which
are secured using anchor bolts 29D and 29E. The pressure
exerted by the embossing roller 26 against the center cylinder
24 which determines vein depth, is provided by at least one
conventional, adjustable air cylinder 30 which effects
movement of lower plate Z8B toward the cente~ cylinder 24
along a post 29F thus forcing embossing roller 26 against
center cylinder 24. The pressure between the~embossing
roller 26 and the center cylinder 24 may be controlled by the
use of adjusting screws 29G and 29H which control the travel
of lower plate 28B toward center cylinder 24.
~djusting screws 29G and 29EI are set initially to insure
proper registration between the male pattern on the embossing
roller 26 and the female pattern on the center cylinder 2~.
The post 29F along which support plate 28B travels, is secured
to the frame 18 by the use of two bolts 29I and 29J.
The embossing roller 26, shown in greater detail in
FIG. 3B, has a substantially hollow center portion 26B, access
to which is available through the hollow, stepped,
hub portions 26~. The embossing roller 26 may be heated by
the introduction of steam through the hub portions 26A and into
the hollow center portion 26B of the embosslng roller 26.
Z5 Condensed water may be removed through, for example, a conven-
tional rotary joint on one side of the embossing roller 26
(not shown).
. Embossing of the sheet material may be accomplished at
temperatures above about 250F and pre~erably at temperatures
between about 250~ atl~l about 350F. ~n embossing temperature
of about 280~F is m~ut preferred~ ~n embossing pressure of at
least about 50 psi between the embossing roller 26 and the
c~nter cylinder 24 gencrated by air cylinder 30, is normally
0~19~
required to effect satisfactory embossing of the sheet
material and a pressure of about 90 psi is pref erred.
Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the embossed sheet
material then passes around the center cylinder 24 toward
the base color station 40 where the sheet material is treated
with a base colorant to simulate the color of a natural
tobacco leaf. In those instances,where the sheet material
is pre-colored prior to processing, the base color station
may be eliminated and the sheet may be merely embossed or
embossed and shaded. The base color station 40, shown in
greater detail in FIGS. 4, 4A, 4B and 4C includes a color
transfer roller 42, of steel with a rubber or elastomeric 1,
outer surface and a color gravuxe roller 44 also of steel
with a chrome-plated outer surfacè.
The color gravure roller 44, shown schematically in
FIG. ~B, preferably includes ~ hollow center,portion 44B
with stepped hub portions 44A extending from the opposite
ends thereof. The chrome-plated outer surface of the color
gravure roller 44 is patterned, preferabl~ having a 180Q
guadra gravure recessed pyramid shaped pattern formed thereon.
The color gravure roller 44 on the frame 18 is adjustably
and rotatably mounted by means of an adjustable support 50 '
moun~ed on both sides of the frame 18. Hub portions 44~ of
roller 44 are journaled in recessed portions of adjustable
mounting device 50. It is preferred that the color gravure '''
roller 44 be cooled and this may be accomplished by passing
cool water through the hollow center portion 44B of the roller '
., 44.
The color tr~nsfer roller 42, shown schematically i~
FIG. 4C, includes ~ rubber or elastomeric outer surface 42C,
a hollow center por~iol) 42B and stepped hub portions 42A
which e~tend from opposite ends of the color transfer roller
-13- '' '
42. The elastomeric outer surface 42C of the transfer
roller preferably has a hardness of between about 40 and
about 70 Durometer Shore A. It is preferred that the transfer
roller 42 be cooled to retard dryiny of the coloring agent
which it transfers to the sheet material and cooling may be
accomplished, for example, by the pumping of cool water into
the hollow center portion 42B through one o~ the stepped hub
portions 42A.
Since in actual operation, the coloring agent is applied
to recessed portions of the color gravure roller 44 and
then transferred to the color transfer roller 42 as the two
. rollers contact and rotate in opposite direction, it will be
appreciated that the aliynment of and the pressure between
the rollers is important. The color transfer roller 42
transfers the coloring agent in the pattern oE the color
gravure roller 44 to the sheet material as the sheet material
passes through the nip between the counter rotating center
cylinder 24 and the color transfer roller 42. Coloring agents
may include inks and dyes and preferred coloring agents
include carotenoids and annattos; food, drug and cosmetic
dyes including their lake and oil solubilized forms; and
other commercial food grade inks.
~s shown in FIG. 4~, the color.ing agent is applied
directly to the coIor gravu~e roller 44 by the use of an
open ink pan 46 positioned adjacent to the color gravure
roller 44, and spaced such that, as the color gravure roller
. 44 rotates, the outer surface of the gravure roller 44 passes
.. through the coloring agent contained within the ink pan 46, ~ -
thereby "inking" the roller. A doctor blade 48, mounted
tangentially relative to the color gravure roller 44 is used to
remove any heavy dc~--si.t~ of the coating agent on the rotating
color gravure roller 44. The color.ing agent is introduced
into the open ink pan 46 by conventional rneans, i.e. by its
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_¦~introduction under pressure from an external 5upply. The
coloring agent should be fed into the ink pan 46 at a
sufficient rate to maintain a substantially filled level and an
overflow return system (not shown) may be provided to assure
continuous circulation of the coloring agent.
The doctor blade 48, which may be steel or a plastic
material, includes a bracket 49 wh.ich is preferably adjustably
mounted on frame 18 in order to control its position relative
. to the color gravure roller 44. The doctor blade 48 may be
1~ spring or air loaded, such as by air cylinder 49A to generate
pressure against the color gravure roller 44. It is preerable
that the doctor blade 48 be reciprocating relative to the
longitudinal extent of the color gravure roller 44 to aid
removing heavy deposits of coloring agents which may accumulate
on the surface o the color gravure roll 44. Rcciprocation
is effected by means o~ air cylinder 49B, shown in FIG. 4A.
~s shown in deta.il in FIG. 4, the color gravure roller
44, the color transfer roller 42, the ink pan 46 and the
doctor blade 48 are adjustably mounted on.and secured to
the frame 18 by use of an adjustable support 50 which
includes a plurality of interengaged and adjustable plates
50~, 50B, 50C, 50D and 50E and two screw threaded adjusting
devices 51A and 51B which permit adjustment of the position
of the plates which control the pressure between the color
gravure roller 4~ and the color transfer roller ~2 and between
. the color transfer roller 42 and the center cylinder 24.
A conventional adjustable air cylinder 52 is employed
. to generate pressure between the transfer roller 42 and the
center cylinder 24 and a second conventional air cylinder 54
is used to generate pressure between the trans~er roller 42
and the gravure ro~1ler 44. Adjusting screw 51A acts as a
stop fQr air cylinder 52 permitting adjus-tment of the
pxessure between the transfer roller 42 and the center
968
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~cylinder 24. Similarly, adjustiny screw 51B acts as a stop
for air cylinder 54 and permits adjustment of the spacing
between the ~ransfer roller 42 and the gravure roller 44.
Anchor bolts 56A and 56B secure plate 50D to plate 50A in
order to rotatably capture the transfer roller 42 therebetween
and anchor bolts 56C and 56D serve to secure plate 50C to
plate 50B to rotatably capture the gravure roller 44 therebetween.
Support shaft 58 is rotatably captured between plates 50E
and 50A which are secured there-to by anchor bolts 56E and
56F.
The embossed sheet material, after passing through the
base color station 40 where a base coloring agent is app~ied
in the pattern of the color gravure roller 44 then proceeds
through a shade pattern station 60 as shown in FIGS. 5 and
5~ where a random or otherwise irregular color pat~ern iS
applied.
As previously st~ted, when the sheet materia1 is pre-colored
prior to processing, the sheet may pass directly from the
embossing station 20 to the shade pattern station 60, thus
bypassing the base color station 40. When the sheet material
is, for example, a ciqar wrapper, a random "cloud-pattern"
may be applied using contrasting colors to further simulate
the irregular or random color patterns of a naturally occuring
tob~cco leaf. The shade pattern station 60, shown in detail
as FIGS. 5 and 5~, lncludes a shade transfer roller 62 of
similar construction to color transfer roller 42
and a shade gravure
. roller 64, also oE similar construction to the color gravure
roller 44, but for the pattern on the outer surface ther~eof.
The shade gravure roller 64, shown schematically in
FIG. 5A, which is p~e~rably made from steel, is hollow and
include~ on its outer, preferably chrome-plated steel surface,
a randomly diffused, 120Q screen pattern. An open ink pan 66
and a doctor blade 68, similar to the open ink pan 46 and
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the doctor blade 48 of the base color station 40, are provided
l with a similar supply and circulation system. An adjustable
i support 70 is provided for mounting the elements of the
shade color station 60 to the frame 18, the adjustable support
70 being similar to the adjustable support 50 used in the
base color station 40. In this regard, adjustable support
70 includes a plurality of plates 71A-II and two adjustable
air cylinders 72 and 74 positioned on adjacent sides of the
. support 70 to provide pressure, respectively, between the0 shade tranSfer roller 62 and the center cylinder 24 and
between the shade transfer roller 62 and the gravure roller
64. Adjusting screws 75A and 7SB are provided to respectively
controlthe amount of pressure between the rubber transfer
roller 62 and the cen'er cylinder 24 and between the shade
~:
gravure roller 64 and the shade transfer roller 62. A
plurality of anchor bolts 76~-~l serve to secure the plates
71A-H together.
As in the base color station 40, an ad~ustable bracket
69 is provided, including a pressure piston 69A to adjusta~ly
:~
mount the doctor blade 68 relative to the gravure roller 64 : :
and an air cylinder 69B to permit reciprocation of the
doctor blade 68 across the longitudinal extent of the outer
surfAce o~ the shade gravure roller 64.
~ shading agent is applied to the embossed and colored .
sheet material by the shade trans~er roller G2 which, by
contacting and rotating in an opposite direction from the
shade gravure roller 64 receives the shading agent in the ~;
..........shade pattern of the shade gravure roller 64, then transfers
it to the sheet material as it passes through the nip between
o the center cylinder 24 and the trans~er roller 62. The
shade transfer rolier ~.2, which is of a similar construction
to the~color transfer roller 42, may be cooled in a similar
manner as the color transfer roller is cooled, i.e. by
iL,l[~ql~6~ ~
-17- j
. .
~a
introducing cool water into its center.
The shading agent used may be an ink or a dye, preferably
of contrasting color to the coloring agent. Preferred
. shading agents include carotenoids and annattos; food, drug
.5 and cosmetic dyes including their lake and oil solubilized
forms; and other commercial food grade inks. The decorated,
colored and shaded sheet material, as it emerges from the
shade station 60, is shown in FIG. 5B.
The now embossed, colored and shaded sheet material
. then proce~ds around the center embossing cylinder 24 to a
reinforcing station 80 where a filler material is introduced
onto the top uncoated surface B of the sheet material as.
shown in FIGS. 6 and 6~. ~einforcing station 80 includes a : :
hopper 82 which is mounted on frame lB ~not sllowr!) acljacent
to the center cylinder 24 in wllich may be adcled filler
material ~or distribution onto the sheet material as i.t
passes around the cylinder 24. The hopper 82 includes a wire
screen 83 above a slotted distribution plate 84 through
which the filler material is introduced onto the uncoated .
0 surface B of the sheet material. A rubber blade-like device 88
is adjustably mounted to the bottom edge o~ the hopper B2 by a .
plurality of screws 86 and, when properly adjusted and upon
rotation of the cylinder 24, serves to force the filler
material into the recessed portions of the embossed pattern
on uncoated surface B of the sheet and to remove any excess
filler material from the.nonrecessed portions o~ the sheet
material. Blade~88 may be replaced by a roller or other
.........similar device (not shown). A rotatably mounted doffer 87
is provided to prevent agglomeration of the filler mate~ial
0 in the hopper 82 and a rotary blade feeder 89 is provided to aid
in forcing the fill~r r.l~terial through slotted distri~ution
plate ~4 and onto the sheet material. The rate of distribution
oP the feeder material is controlled by the rate of rotation
of tlle blade feeder 89.
lGI'71!36~3
. ' -18- j
! Filler materials may be either in powder or yaste form,
the powdex including a mixture of ground tobacco suitable bindiny
agents and fillers including diatomaceous earths, clays and .:
whitening agents. Preferred diatomaceous earths include the
product marketed by Grefco, Inc. of Los Angeles under the
trademark Dicalite~ and the product marketed by Johns-
Manville of Denver under the mark Celite~. Preferred clays
include Bentonite~, marketed by NL Industries of New York,
Xaolin and monmorillonite and preferred whitening agents,
O . which serve to give the filled vein pattern a more naturally
colored look, may be selected from the group consisting of
titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate and dolomite.
In certain instances, it may be desirable to use a
paste type ~ill.er rnateri.al rather than a powdcr, particularly
in ~he embodiment where only one, non-laminated layer i6
~sed. In order to form such a paste, the powder described
above may be mixed with suitable vehicles, and wetting
agents.
In the embodiment of FIG. 2, where two sheets are
.0 laminated together, the sheet material from the lower rolls
12 and 12A, which has then been embossed, colored, shaded
and reinforced, is then mated with.and laminated in juxtaposition
to the undecorated sheet material from the upycr rolls 13
. and 13A of the unwind station 10 which is passed over the
.5 center cylinder 24 by take-up rollers 90A and 90B. The two
layers are mated in such a manner that the coated side A' of
the undecorated sheet material is in juxtaposition with the
uncoated side B of the embossed sheet material and are then
fed into and through a laminating station 100' where they . :
0 are laminated or othcrwise bonded together to form a unitary
embossed and laminal~d sheet.
: The laminating sta~ion 100', as shown in FIGS. 7 and 7~,
includes a laminating roller 101, preferably of chromeplated
steel,and having a hollow center portion lOlB and t~o hub
68
,f.l~ ' ,
portions 101~ extending from opposite ends thereof. As
shown in FIG. 7, the laminating roller 101 is journaled on
an adjustable support 110 which includes plates 110~, llOB
and llOC~ ~nchor bolts 112A and ll~B rotatably capture and
mount the hub portions 101~ of the laminating roller 101
between plates llOA and llOB. Air cylinder 114 serves to
generate a constant pressure between the laminating roller
101 and the center embossing cylinder 24, the amount of pressure
being contr.olled by adjusting screw 115 and adjusting wheel 116.
0 The t~o sheets are laminated together as they pass through
the nip between the laminating roller 101 and the center
embossing cylinder 24 at elevated temperature and pressure.
Lamination should be accomplished at a temperature sufficient
to soEten the hydrophobic coating on the coated surface ~'
S o~ the top, undecorated sheet and thus laminate the undecor~ted
sheet to the embossed and colored sheet. Since it is not
desirable to have the coating on the embossed sheet soften,
lamination is preferably effected at a temperature of between
about 250F and about 350F, with a temperature of about
0 280F being most preferred. This temperature may be achieved
by the introduction of steam into the hollow center portion
lOlB of the laminating roller 101 through the hollow tu~ular
end portion lOlA. The pressure exerted betweell the laminating
roller 101 and the center cylinder 24 by air cylinder 114
should be between about 50 psi and about 150 psi, and prefexably
between about 75 psi and about 100 psi. A laminating pressure
oE about 90 psi is most preferred.
. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 where the decoxated sheet
is not laminated to a second sheet, the laminating roller
0 101 is maintained at room temperature and merely serves as a
removal roll for rem~in~ the embossed, colored, shaded and
reinforced sheet from the center cylinder 24.
If desired, a secondary coating may be applied to the
~ 8
-20-
-l sheet material of eitl-er FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, preferably at
coating station 120 which is located adjacent laminating
roller 101. Coating station 120 includes a coating transfer
roller 122 and a coating gravure roller 124, shown in greater
detail in FIG. 7~ Coating station 120 is similar to both
the base color station 40 and the shade color s~ation 60 in
that the coating is applied to the sheet material by the
transfer roller 122 as it passes through the nip between the
transfer roller 122 and the laminating roller 101.' The
,10 coating tr,ansfer roller 122 and the coating gravure roller
124, which are similar in design to the color transfer roller
42 and the color gravure roller 44 are rotatably mounted on
an adjustable support 130 which includes inter-engaged
plates 130~-130E which are secured to one another by a
lS plurality of anchor bolts 131~-131~. ~ir cylinders 132 and
133 provide pressure re~pectively between the coating transfer
roller 122 and the cclor gravure roller 12~ and between the
trans~er roller 122 and the laminating roller 101. Pressure
generated by air cylinder 13-2 between the gravure roller 124
and the coating transfer roller 122 is adjusted by adjusting
screw 134 and the pressure generated between the trans~er
roller 122 and the laminating roller 101 is controlled by ~'
_ adjusting screw 135. The coating applied at the coating
station 120 may be, for example, a hydropho~ic coating and
2S is applied to the sheet material in a similar manner as the
base color and shading were applied. The secondary coating
is applied to the coating gravure roller 124 as it rotates -
through an open pan 126. A reciprocating doctor blade l28,
adjustably mounted on support 130 and powered by air cylinder
129, is also provide(l. The coating is transferred to the ~,
sheet material froll~ the coating gravure roller 124 by the
oppositely rotating coating transfer roller 122 as the sheet
material passes through the nip between the oppositely
rotating laminating roller 101 and ~ransfer roll 122
~'y~6~ ' '
- -21- J
. _... .. __ .. ~ ._ .. .. _ .~. _ . ._ . . .. _ _. .. _ .. , .. _ _ ~.. ~ . _ . ". _ . _ . ,.. _ _... . .. _ _ .. __ .... .
- - .
,11 '
~n additional staining step at staining station 140 may
also be incorporat~d into the processes o~ FIGS. 1 and 2,
staining being done after the decorated sheet passes from
the coating station 120 over a take up roller 138. Staining
station 140 is of similar design to base color station 40
and shading station 60 and is shown schematically in FIGS. 1
and 2. Staining is used to further delineate the pattern
being embossed on the sheet material. Suitable staining
agents include both saturated and unsaturated, synthetic or
natural vegetable oils, such as, for example, glycerides.
Staining station 140 includes an upper, internally
heated, rvller 141 preferably of chrome-plated steel, which
is in direct contact with an oppositely rotating transfer
roller 142 which is of similar constr~ction to co]or transfer
roller 42. Stain is applied to the transfcr roller 1~2 by
an oppositely rotating stain gravure roller 144 which includes
an open pan 1~6 for a~plying stain to the gravure roller 144
and a doctor blade 148 for removing excess heavy deposits of
stain from the gravure roller 144. Stain is introduced into
pan 126 by circulation means similar to the system used for
introducing and circulating the coloring and shading agents.
As the decorated sheet material travels between the upper,
heated roller 141 and the stain transfer roller 142, the
stain is ~pplied to the raised, decorated side of the decorated
sheet material by the stain transfer roller 144. The upper
heated roller 141, like the laminating roller 101, has a
hollow center portion through which steam is passed to
elevate the temperature of the upper roller 141 to thus
accomplish staining at elevated temperatures. Prefera~ly,
the upper heated roller 141 is maintained at a temperature
of at least about ~0'~ with a temperature within the range
of from about 100F to about 120F being most preferred.
The staining station 140, which includes rolle~rs 141,
142 and 144, stain containing pan 146 and doctor blade 146,
~ 96
-22- )
,
i9 rotatably and adjustably mounted on a frame ~not shown)
of similar design to frame 18 which supports the embossing,
coloring, shading and laminating stations.
The decorated sheet material may after passing through
the staining station 140, be introduced into a humidifier 160
of conventional design where the moisture level o the sheet
material is raised to a pre-determined level. This is -
particularly recommended when the sheet material is a cigar
wrapper where after processing, the wrapper should have a
moisture lçvel of at least about 25% and preferably between
aboùt 28~ and about 35%. A moisture level of a~out 30% for
the final product is most preferred. ~wnidification is
preferably accomplished by the simultaneous introduction of
steam through a plurality of jets onto both surfaces of the
L5 sheet material ~s it passes through the humidifier 160.
It has been found that humidification is most effective
when the temperature ~ the sheet material is maintainecl at
a temperature of about 110F and thls may be accomplished by
! maintaining a constant circulation of air around the sheet
material The application of a very fine spray of cool
water applied to the sheet material through water jets 165
positioned immediately adjacent to the humidifier 160 results
in greater moisture levels in the final, humidified product.
The water on the wrapper functions as a heat sink and prevents
drying of the sheet material during humidification 160.
After humidification, the sheet material is drawn into
a rewind station 180, as shown in ~IGS. 1 and 2, first ~;
. passing over an idler roller 182 and then through a drive
assembly 184 which includes upper and lower puller rollers
184~ and 184B, respectively, wllich serve to pull the sheet
material through the 4pp;lratus. It is then fed over take-up
rollers-186A, 186B al)d 186C and rewound around either top or
bottom rewind rollers 188~ and 188B. Ta~e-up roller 186~
is a moisture detection roller and monitors the moisture of
~1)7~1968
-23- )
the sheet material prior to re-rolling on rollers 188~ and
188B, thus permitt~ng increased or decreased humidification
by humidifier 160, if necessary.
The apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be powered by conven-
tional means (not shown) and preferably by coordinated D.C.
motors. It is preferred that three separate D.C. motors be
used, with one master motor to rotatably drive the center
cylinder 24 with the rollers comprising the embossing coloring,
shading, reinforcing and laminating stations 100', bein~
0 geared to the center cylinder 24 by conventional gearing.
Secondary motors are provided at the rewind station 180 and
at the staining station 140 and are subordinate to the
master motor driving the center cylinder 24, with their
drive speed being dependent upon the speed at which the
master motor operates.
It will be appreciated that the tension o~ the sheet
mat~rial must be maintained at a relatively constant level
during processing to prevent tearing or pulling oF the sheet
material and irregular-lamination. This may be accomplished
by the use of conventional take-up rollers or dancer rollers
positioned at various points throughout the apparatus. For
example, dancer rollers may be positioned between the laminating
station 100' and the staining station 140 and between the
staining station 1~0 and the humidifier 160. ~ potentionmeter
may be employed on one or more of the dancer rollers to both
change the speed of the drive assembly 184 automatically and
to control the speed of rewind rollers 188A and 188B in
order to maintain proper tension of the sheet material.
As previously stated, when the sheet material is, ~or
0 example, a cigar wral~per, the moisture level of the sheet
material must be main~ined above a minimum moisture level
to preVent the sheet material from tearing or cracking. It
i8 therefore preferred that the sheet material have, prior
to processing, a moisture level of at least about 1'3~ with a
~0~9
-24- )
.
¦~oisture level of at least about 22~ being most prcferred. When
the sheet material is at such a moisture level, prior to processinc~
it will be more resistant to drying from the heat generated during
the processing, thus making the sheet material less prone to
tearing and cracking.
The resultant embossed, colored and shaded cigar wrapper
sheet is shown in FIGS. 8, 8A and 8B; FIG. 8 being a photograph of
the decorated surface of the wrapper; FIG. 8A being a partial
cross-sectional view of a non-laminated wrapper; and FIG. 88 being
a partial cross-sectional view of a lt~minated wrapper having two
layers of sheet material.
The cigar wrappers which are decorated in both the laminated
and non-laminated embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be sheets of
conventional, manufactured cigar wrapper material. In general,
the sheets of manufactured cigar wrapper are a mixture of ~round
tobacco, xefined pulp, iller materlals, adhesives and other
functional ingredients and preferably have a sheet w~ight within
the range of from about l.0 g/ft2 to about 6.0 g/ft2 and a
moisture level of at least about 19%. The sheet of cigar wrapper l ;
material in the non-laminated embodiment of FIG. 8A preferably has
a thickness of between about .002 inches and about .006 inches. ~ ;
While, in the laminated embodiment, of FIG. 8B, two layers of sheet
material, each between about 0.001 inches -to about ,003 inches
thick, are laminated together to produce a finished laminated
sheet with a thickness of between about 0.002 inches and about
.006 inches. In certain instances, it may be desirable to use ,
sheets of differing thicknesses or compositions to achieve a
desired result.
As shown in the photograph of FIG. 8, the cigar wrapper 200
has a raised vein-like pattern embossed on its coated surface A
and is colored and shaded on uncoated surface B to simulate the
appearance of a natur&~ tobacco leaf. As shown best in FIGS. 8A
and 8B, the vein-like pattern embossed on the sheet is raised rom
the coated outer surface of the wrapper 2010 While the height of t~
I :
1~1968
.
~raised vein pattern may vary widely, it has been found that a
eight for the main vein 202 of between about 0.010 and about
0.020 inches from the otherwise planar outer surface 201 most
closely simulates the appearance of the main vein of a natural
tobacco leaf and accordingly, such a height is preferred. A
nost preferred height for the main vein 202 is between about 0.014
and about 0.016 inches. Similarly, it has been found that the
height of the smaller vein 203 should preferably be between about
0.002 and about 0.009 inches and, most preferably between about
0.00~ and about 0.008 inches.
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the complimentary depressed
portions of the vein-like pattern 202A and 203A on the uncoated
side of the decorated sheet are preferably filled with a filler ' ;~
material in order to aid in reinforcing the raised pattern on the
outer surface 201 when the cigar wrapper is stretched taut and,
particularly, when the moisture level of the wrapper increases
above about 25~. Filler materials may either be in powder or
paste form, the powder including a mixture of ground tobacco,
binding agents and fillers including diatomaceous earths, clays
and whltening agents. Preferred diatomaceous earths include the
product marketed by Grefco, Inc~ of Los ~ngeles, California under
the trademark Dicalit ~ and the product marketed by Johns- ¦
Manville of Denver, Colorado under the mark Celite~. Preferred
clays include Bentonit ~, marketed by NL Industri.es, Inc. of
New York, K~olin and monmorillonite and preferred whitening
agents, which serve to give the filled vein pattern a more natural,
colored appearance, may be selected from the group consisting
of titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate and dolomite. Flavoring
and aromatic additives, coloring agents, preservatives, burn
modifiers and ash improvers may also be incorporated in ~he filler
materials.
_ `''
~ 96
26- J
~s illustrated in the photograph of FI(,. ~, the decoratec~
igar wrapper includes a base color which is applied to its
uncoated surface B, and which is clearly visible from the opposite
coated surface A. A random shade pattern of contrasting color is
also applied to uncoated surface B and is also visible from coated
surface A. The base color applied to the uncoated surface B is
done with a coloring agent, including inks and dyes and,
preferably selected from the group including carotenoids and
annattos; food, drug and cosmetic dyes including the lake and
solubilized forms; and other commercial food grade inks. A
particularly preferred coloring agent is a misture of an alcohol
soluble cellulose ester and a pigment.
The shade color pattern is a second random color coating
selectively applied to the uncoated surface ~ of the cigar wrapper
using a shading agent. Preferred shadine3 ac~ents are drawn from
the same class as the base coloring agents although the shading
a(~ent should be of a contrasting color to effect the random shade
or cloud pattern~
As previously stated, the cigar wrapper may have either two
layers of sheet material laminated together, as shown in FIG. 8B, I
or be a single-layered, non-laminated wrapper as shown in FIG. 8A. ` -
The two layered, laminated wrapper is preEerable, since it urther
reinforces the embossed pattern and is thus more resistant to
stretching and resultant obliteration of -t~le em~ossed vein pattern.!
Additionally, the use of ~ laminated wrapper permits the use of
layers o different types and thicknesses and provides the
opportunity to create~ by combining layers of different properties
but having a symbiotic relationship with respect to one another,
. cigar wrappers having flavors, aromas and other physical properties
such as strength, burn characteristics and surface appea~ances not `
heretofore possible from a single layered wrapper.
.. I
~L()'~19~
-27- )
_~ layer 300 is laminated to the decorated layer 200 on the unco~ted
side B of the decorated layer 200 which has the filled, depressed
pattern. The laminating layer 300 is a second, undecorated sheet
of manufactured cigar wrapper material. While in most cases, the
laminating layer 300 is similar in all respects, except decoration,
to the decorated sheet 200 to which it is laminated, it is forseen
that layers of different thickness and/or composition may be
laminated together. Lamination, which is generally accomplished
at elevated temperature and pressure, results in the physical
bonding of the decorated layer 200 to the laminating layer 300.
The cigar wrapper of FIG. 8 may then be wrapped around the
hinder 400 and the bunch portion 500 of a cigar in a conventional
manner in order to prodce the cigar of FIGS. 9 and 10.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention (not
shown), the decorated layer 200 is laminated directly to the
b:inder 400, thus eliminating the need for this additional layer
and w~rapping step. Such an embodiment is particularly useful in
high speed rod-making machines and a preferred application is in
the manufacture of tipped cigars.
The following example serves to illustrate the present
invention and should not be construed as limiting its scope.
EXAMPLE
In order to more clearly illustrate the properties of a
decorated cigar wrapper which was decorated according to the
~ethod and using the apparatus of the present invention, a sheet
of conventional manufactured cigar wrapper was decorated and
then laminated to a second sheet of conventional manufactured
cigar wrapper. Each of the two sheets had a thickness of
.,. I .
;'8
,.
about 0.0015 inches, a tobacco content in excess of 65~ and
the following physical properties:
L~MIN~TING SI~ET ~Prior to processing)
dry long strenyth: 540 y/in
dry transverse strength: 135 g/in
Mullen strength: 1.45 lb/in2
smoothness - top: .25 seconds~25cc/in2
smoothness - bottom: 32 seconds/25cc/in2
sheet.weight: 155 g/ft. 2
,10 sheet moisture: 24.84~
', '~
DECORATING SHEE~ (Prior to processing)
dry long strength: 650 g/in
dry transverse strength: 410 g/in
Mullen strength: 1.95 lb/in2
smoothnes6 - top: 60 secollds/25cc/in2
.smoothness - bottom: 100 scconds/75cc/in2
sheet weight: 1.40 g/ft2
sheet moisture: 25.30%
The decorating sheet was coated on one surface with
the following coating:
~redients Percent By Weic~ht
cellulose-acetate-propionate 103
ethyl alcohol 63~
ethyl acetate 27% -
., ' .
25. The laminating sheet haa originally been coated on its
underside with the followiny coating:
Ingredients ~ercent By ~ei~ht
cellulose-acet~e-l~ropionate5.0~
acetylated mono(Jlyceride5.0%
e~hyl alcohol 63.0%
ethyl acetate 27.0
~1~;37ig¢8
-29-- )
Each sheet was coated at a level of about 80 mg/ft2 measure~
on a dry weight basis.
The laminating and decoratlng sheets were simultaneously
. processed through the apparatus of FIG. 2, the decorating
sheet first having a raised, vein-like pattern embossed through
its thickness at a pressure of 60 psi and at a temperature
of 262~F.
Base color was applied at a base color station at a
tempexature of BOaF with an alcohol soluble ink and a shade
color pattern was applied at a temperature of 84F at a
shade color station, also using an alcohol soluble ink of
a contrasting color to the base color ink. The decorating
sheet was then laminated to the lam.inating sheet at a temperature
oE 2~1F and at a pressure of 60 psi.
The resultant decorated, laminated cic~ar wrapper, was
humidified and rewound. Subsequent testing indicated that
the wrapper had the following physical properties:
dry long strength 700 g/in
dry transverse strength 330 g/in
Mullen Strength 1.65 lb/in2
smoothness top 80 seconds/25cc/in2
sheet weight 3.38 g/ft2
. sheet moisture 30.4~
. The resultant decorated cigar wrapper, although being a
rnanufactured cigar ~rapper, had the appearance of a natural
: tobacco leaf and the physical properties of a co~mercially
. acceptable ciyar wrapper. :
~lthough the fore~oinc~ example illustrates the for~ation . :
of a decorated, lamina~.ed cigar wrapper, using the apparatus
and methods of the prQs~nt inyentions, it will be appreciated
that the presently disclosed apparatus and method may be ..
~sed to manufacture sheet material for use in numerous other
applications AccordincJly, the present inverltion should be
limited only by the true scope of the appended clai.ms.
' 10~9~
