R.j. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Donald A Newton

Lucas J Conrad

Hoyt Sturdivant Beard

James Edward Lovette

Robert Calvin Johnson

Hamid Neshan

J Edward Crook

Timothy R Lang

This invention provides tobacco expansion processes and apparatus that can be employed for expanding tobacco at rapid throughput rates employing high pressure tobacco impregnation conditions. The processes and apparatus of the invention are particularly useful in tobacco expansion processes employing cycle times of less than 20-30 seconds; the use of preheated, prepressurized expansion agent such as propane; preheating of tobacco batches; and/or compression of tobacco within a high pressure impregnation zone for greatly improving use of available space in a high pressure impregnation vessel.

Tobacco expansion processes and apparatus

Tobacco cut filler is subjected to extraction conditions using tap water as a solvent using a counter current, counter rotating, upwardly inclined extraction apparatus. The extracted tobacco material which is collected undergoes no significant physical degradation while having a high level of water extractables removed therefrom. Aqueous tobacco extracts having relatively high levels of tobacco extractables also can be provided. Extracted tobacco material also can be re-equilibrated with a tobacco extract by contacting the extracted tobacco material and an aqueous tobacco extract in a counter current, counter rotating, upwardly inclined extraction apparatus.

Tobacco processing

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Winston-Salem, NC, United States of America

Donald A Newton