Abstract: Through interaction with the pectinaceous materials of tobacco smoking products, increased filling power of tobacco constituents is accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by means of maintaining the tobacco, usually in shredded form, in an expanded form by applying, in solution thereto, multivalent metal and organic acid salts, especially those salts found in the hydrated form. The multivalent salt additives cause the pectinaceous materials of the tobacco to retain the expanded bulk volume of the tobacco.

Abstract: A method of producing a smokable material containing tobacco by-products, such as stems or stalks, having reduced particulate matter, particularly, tar and nicotine, and which additionally has no undesirable "woody taste" is disclosed. The method for producing this smokable material comprises subjecting tobacco by-products material to pyrolysis, adding the pyrolyzed material to a tobacco-parts slurry, homogenizing the slurry, drying and processing the resultant reconstituted product to a form desired for the smoking material. The smoking material obtained by such method is also described.

Abstract: A continuous process of expanding tobacco with carbon dioxide and ammonia is disclosed which comprises contacting tobacco with concentrated ammonium hydroxide, mixing the ammonium hydroxide-treated tobacco with ground solid carbon dioxide, thereafter expanding the tobacco by means of heat and equilibrating the expanded tobacco until equilibrium moisture content is attained. Concentrated aqueous solutions of ammonium carbamate may be substituted for the ammonium hydroxide and solid carbon dioxide in the process. The tobacco may be expanded in an atmosphere of hot steam or gas, or by means of microwave or radiant heat energy. The process allows impregnation and expansion of tobacco to be effected without interruption on a production line.

Abstract: A method of upgrading tobacco by-product material, such as stems, into a smokable filler component such that it can beneficially be blended with conventional tobacco filler to impart a mild smoke with low impact and no undesirable "woody taste" is disclosed. The method for producing this upgraded tobacco by-product material comprises subjecting the material to a heat treatment step such that it experiences a weight loss of at least 10% and a water extraction step such that water soluble constituents contained within the material are removed therefrom. The smoking material obtained by such method is also described.