Philip Morris Inc.

Patrick E Aument

Roger Z De La Burde

Francis V Utsch

Henry B Merritt

Larry M Sykes

Ray G Snow

Ronald A Tamol

Ray F Dawson

A process is provided for expanding tobacco by means of overwetting the tobacco to a moisture content of at least 20%, preferably from 20% to about 80%, and then overdrying the tobacco in a period of a few seconds in a turbulent steam atmosphere to a moisture content of less than 7% to achieve increased filling power. The overwetted tobacco is preferably dried to a moisture content of less than 7% within a time period of less than 5 seconds. It is preferred that the tobacco be dried to a moisture content of less than 5%, and even more preferred that it be dried to a moisture content of less than 3%. The turbulent steam drying atmosphere preferably comprises at least about 60% steam. Typically, the tobacco is bulked for from about 1/4 hour to 4 hours after it is overwetted to allow the moisture to be distributed within and absorbed by the tobacco cellular structure of substantial portions of the tobacco. Subsequent to overdrying, the tobacco is typically remoisturized to a processing moisture content of about 12%.

Process for expansion of tobacco

A process is disclosed for increasing the filling power of tobacco lamina filler without the use of exogenous impregnants by contacting the filler with a heat transfer medium such that heat is transferred rapidly and substantially uniformly from the medium to the filler for a total contact time sufficient to stiffen and expand the filler. The filler has an OV value, immediately before treatment, within the range of from about 8% to about 30% and, most preferably, within the range of from about 10% to about 14%. The filler, immediately before treatment, is preferably at ambient temperature and it is preferred that the entire process be conducted at atmospheric pressure.

Process for increasing the filling power of tobacco lamina filler

A process for expanding tobacco is provided which employs liquid carbon dioxide as the expansion agent. Tobacco is contacted with liquid carbon dioxide to thoroughly impregnate the tobacco with the liquid carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide impregnated tobacco is maintained at a temperature no lower than -2.degree. C. and under conditions of temperature and elevated pressure such that all or substantially all of the carbon dioxide which is in contact with the tobacco is in liquid form. After the impregnation has been completed, any excess liquid carbon dioxide which may be present with the tobacco may be removed from the tobacco. The elevated pressure is then reduced in order to convert the liquid carbon dioxide to solid carbon dioxide within the tobacco structure. The resulting solid carbon dioxide-containing tobacco is then subjected to conditions of temperature and pressure, preferably by rapid heating at atmospheric pressure, such that the solid carbon dioxide is vaporized and the tobacco is thereby expanded. Apparatus for carrying out the above described process is also provided.

Expanding tobacco

This invention relates broadly to an improved process for expanding tobacco and involves certain modifications of the basic process for expanding tobacco comprising the steps of (1) contacting the tobacco with liquid carbon dioxide to impregnate the tobacco with the liquid carbon dioxide, (2) subjecting the liquid carbon dioxide-impregnated tobacco to conditions such that the liquid carbon dioxide is converted to solid carbon dioxide and (3) thereafter subjecting the solid carbon dioxide-containing tobacco to conditions whereby the solid carbon dioxide is vaporized to cause expansion of the tobacco. The present invention pertains, in one embodiment, to an improvement in the basic process which involves controlling the moisture content of the tobacco which is employed in the first step of the basic process. A second embodiment of the present invention involves draining off excess liquid carbon dioxide, under controlled conditions, after the first step of the basic process and prior to the second step of the basic process. The present invention pertains, in a third embodiment, to an improvement which involves controlling the output moisture of the product which is recovered from the third step of the basic process. The present invention further relates to various combinations of the three embodiments set forth above and to an overall process which employs all three embodiments in a manner which permits exceptionally advantageous results.

Process for expanding tobacco

A novel tobacco product comprising tobacco containing gaseous carbon dioxide in an amount of at least 1 part of gaseous carbon dioxide per 100 parts of tobacco. The product, when rapidly heated is converted to expanded tobacco. An improved process for the expansion of tobacco is also provided which employs carbon dioxide as the expansion agent in a sequence of steps comprising: (1) contacting tobacco with carbon dioxide gas at a pressure of at least 250 psig for a time sufficient to impregnate the tobacco with the carbon dioxide gas, (2) releasing the pressure and (3) thereafter subjecting the carbon dioxide-treated tobacco to rapid heating conditions to remove the carbon dioxide and thereby expand the tobacco.

Tobacco product

Novel tobacco product and improved process for the expansion of tobacco

A process for impregnating tobacco with carbon dioxide is provided. The process comprises: (a) contacting tobacco with carbon dioxide gas at relatively low pressure (b) rapidly cooling the tobacco-carbon dioxide system until the carbon dioxide condenses as liquid or solid within the tobacco and finally solidifies, and (c) releasing the pressure in the cooled system. Thereafter, the carbon dioxide-treated tobacco may be expanded conventionally, such as by subjecting it to heating conditions effective to liberate the carbon dioxide therein.

Carbon dioxide impregnation of tobacco by super cooling

A method for uniformly impregnating tobacco with additives, particularly flavoring agents, is disclosed. The method comprises contacting tobacco with liquid carbon dioxide having dispersed therein a flavoring agent or other additive; exposing the liquid carbon dioxide absorbed by the tobacco to conditions whereby it is converted to solid carbon dioxide; and thereafter allowing the solid carbon dioxide to evaporate. When the solid carbon dioxide is caused to vaporize rapidly, for example, by means of heat, the disclosed method will simultaneously impregnate tobacco with an additive and expand tobacco.

Method for uniform incorporation of additives into tobacco

A process for rapidly and uniformly reordering tobacco material which has been subjected to an expansion treatment is disclosed. The process comprises spraying the tobacco material with a fine water mist characterized by an average droplet size of between about 1 and 120 microns diameter.

Reordering expanded tobacco by water mist

This disclosure relates to a process for expanding tobacco which comprises the steps of (1) subjecting tobacco, preferably in cut or particulate form, to a vacuum, (2) contacting the tobacco, while under vacuum, with water, preferably as a mist or spray, to impregnate the tobacco with water, (3) freezing the water-impregnated tobacco while it is maintained under vacuum, and (4) rapidly heating the frozen water-impregnated tobacco, preferably by direct contact with superheated steam. The first three steps may be, and preferably are, conducted in the same chamber. The fourth step may be conducted in a heating or drying chamber or tower, in a cyclone dryer or in similar equipment which will provide good gas-particle contact.

Growing community of inventors

Hopewell, VA, United States of America

Patrick E Aument