Abstract: A chewing tobacco product that does not disintegrate during mastication characterized by a uniform flavor and a smooth chew that consists of a blend of 10 to 70% of particulate tobacco in a chewing gum base present in the amount of 20 to 75% of the product, together with a glycerine humectant in the amount of 2 to 12% of the product, and sweetening and flavoring agents.

Abstract: A tobacco product such as a cigarette having a tobacco column within a combustible wrap and a filter plug located at one end of the tobacco column to filter constituents of the mainstream smoke. The filter plug is disposed within a layer of plug wrap which preferably is nonporous and an outer tipping wrap surrounds the plug wrap. A plurality of grooves or depressions formed along the filter plug provide for a secondary flow of air to the mouth of the smoker. An access opening communicating secondary air to each groove is defined by a plurality of perforations located in one or more rows or bands around the outer tipping paper. Depressions located along axes parallel to the axis of the filter member or disposed in a helical pattern may be used. In a second form of the invention, the access opening communicating secondary air to each groove is defined by an annular opening between individual portions of the outer tipping paper.

Abstract: A process for perforating material comprising the steps of advancing material along a path of travel, passing the advancing material over a movable laser mask having an aperture such that the material drives the mask in unison with the movement of the material, and directing at least one laser beam through the corresponding aperture so as to vaporize the material juxtaposed the mask aperture to correspondingly form an opening in the material. The apparatus contemplated for perforating the material as it is advanced along a path of movement comprises first means for advancing the material along the path of movement, second means having at least one aperture and being operatively associated with the first means for enabling the perforation of the material as it is advanced along the path, and for being driven by and in unison with the advancing material, and third means operatively associated with the second means for vaporizing material juxtaposed said aperture.

Abstract: This invention relates to an innerliner wrap for a tobacco smoking article comprising a combustible porous sheet of cellulosic fibers and finely pulverized porous carbon particles coated with calcium citrate, and a smoking article comprising a tobacco filler, an innerliner wrap encasing said filler, and an outer wrap over said innerliner wrap, said innerliner wrap comprising a combustible porous sheet of cellulosic fibers and finely pulverized porous carbon particles coated with calcium citrate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for drying and expanding cut tobacco by introducing the tobacco into an elongated tubular shaped conduit through which high temperature, high velocity superheated steam is recycled. The conduit has a reduced area section into which the tobacco is introduced and provision is made to allow recycle of steam and hence minimal energy consumption.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of cured tobacco by evaporatively freeze-drying water expanded tobacco and effecting heating of the tobacco by infrared radiation. The treated tobacco has increased filling capacity without suffering disadvantageous results.

Abstract: A process for making cast film from all-tobacco material which includes mixing particles of tobacco materials, adjusting the water content of said mixture, refining the tobacco slurry to a CS freeness of about -500 ml to about -900 ml, passing the slurry as necessary through a colloid mill, diluting the so treated slurry with water and casting the slurry on a non-porous surface. The cast film is then dried, remoistened and removed.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a method and apparatus for expanding particles of cured tobacco by means of liquid and gaseous carbon dioxide which is sprayed into a mass of the tobacco in a closed pressure vessel. The thus treated tobacco is removed from the vessel and heated such that rapid release of the carbon dioxide effects expansion of the tobacco.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a method for increasing the filling capacity of cured tobacco by evaporatively freeze-drying water expanded tobacco and effecting heating of the tobacco by infrared radiation. The treated tobacco has increased filling capacity without suffering disadvantageous results.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for expanding particles of cured tobacco by means of liquid and gaseous carbon dioxide which is sprayed into a mass of the tobacco in a closed pressure vessel. The thus treated tobacco is removed from the vessel and heated such that rapid release of the carbon dioxide effects expansion of the tobacco.

Abstract: Tobacco tissue is puffed by admixing with it hot water, preferably in the form of droplets, in amounts which are substantially completely absorbed by the tobacco in five minutes or less and thus cause puffing of the tobacco cell walls, and freeze drying the resulting tobacco to retain its puffed condition.

Abstract: The method of making expanded and fiberized tobacco stem and stalk materials having increased filling capacity and suitable for use as filler in smoking articles comprising conditioning said stem material by adjusting the moisture content to a level of at least about 10% to about 50% by weight while maintained at a temperature of about 115.degree. to 170.degree. C. and a pressure of about 10 to 100 psig for a period of from about 0.1 to 5 minutes and mechanically fiberizing the thus treated stem material while it is under a pressure of about 10 to 100 psig between fiberizing surfaces maintained from about 0.05 to 0.3 inch apart. The invention also includes smoking articles made from such expanded stem material having increased filling capacity and lowered "tar" and nicotine.

Abstract: Apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of a total blend of cut tobacco comprising first unit for elevating the temperature and moisture content of the tobacco such that the heating and moisturizing are performed for a time sufficient to permit cut tobacco to open from its crimped and compressed condition, an assembly for forming a relatively thin dispersion of the opened tobacco in a gas, and an apparatus operatively connected to said first unit for rapidly lowering the moisture content of the thin dispersion of tobacco to about its making moisture within about five seconds such that the tobacco has achieved an expanded and opened condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus adapted for automatically and continuously forming a completely sealed package having fin type seals and made from a heat-sealable wrapping foil. The process basically embodies the steps of holding a portion of the foil adjacent the article to be packaged, folding the remaining portion of the foil about the article to be packaged so that opposing side edges of the foil are moved towards each other, heat sealing together the opposed side edges of the foil to form a side fin seal, forming a bottom fin from the foil for the package, heat sealing the bottom fin to form a bottom fin seal, forming a top fin from the foil for the package, and heat sealing the top fin to form a top fin seal.

Abstract: The filling capacity of shredded tobacco tissue is increased by being first conditioned by treating the tobacco to raise its temperature to at least about 130.degree. F. and its moisture content above about 15% and then hot-gas drying the tobacco in the form of a thin laminar dispersion, about 1 inch thick, in the gas at a temperature such that the moisture content of the tobacco will be lowered within about 5 seconds to the optimum moisture content to maintain improved filling capacity in the tobacco end products made from such material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus particularly adapted for use in continuously testing for leaks in a plurality of generally fluid-tight and flexible packages which are conveyed along a predetermined path. This particular apparatus embodies first means for selectively and continuously conveying a plurality of the packages along the predetermined path, second means operatively connected to the first means for compressing the generally fluid-tight packages as they are continuously conveyed along the predetermined path to the extent that those packages which do not have leaks expand by at least a predetermined amount and whereas those packages which have leaks will not expand by the predetermined amount, and third means being operatively connected to the second means for at least monitoring the existence of the predetermined expanded packages as the packages are continuously advanced to thereby enable defective packages to be eliminated.