Abstract: In one of its embodiments this invention provides a smoking composition which contains a novel type of flavorant additive as exemplified by polymerized ethyl 2-propenyl 2-(2-butyl)malonate: ##STR1##

Abstract: An ultralow pressure relief valve (10) is disclosed. Sealing fluid (24) is held in place by capillary forces inside capillary tube (12). When pressure in tube (11) exceeds capillary forces, sealing fluid (24) is forced into reservoir (14), protecting pressure gage (20) from overpressurization.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the preparation of cotinine and nicotine analogs containing substituents on pyrrolidinone/pyrrolidine ring at the 3' position of cotinine and at the 4' and 5' position of nicotine.The process proceeds via a first step preparation of a cotinine intermediate which is represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein M is an alkali metal cation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the alignment of a beam of radiant energy relative to a structure. A target is placed in the path of the beam, with an opaque reticle disposed in front of the target in the path of the beam in predetermined alignment with the structure. The beam impinges on the target to form a beam image and the reticle casts a shadow within the beam image. The positional relationship between the shadow and the outline of the beam image will be altered by any misalignment between the beam and the structure. The target is preferably chosen so that it will be permanently altered by the radiant energy of the beam, and the positional relationship between the shadow and the outline is preferably observed after exposure of the target to the beam.

Abstract: A tobacco extractor (10) for extracting liquid and soluble constituents from cut, small plants or tobacco is disclosed. The extractor (10) consists of a worm conveyor (16) for conveying the tobacco through a V-shaped conduit (11, 12) while the wash liquid passes through the conduit in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A cigarette testing device (10) detects improperly filled or missing cigarettes in groups of cigarettes in a cigarette packing machine. Tappets (20) are positioned against the ends of cigarettes (11) and the position of tappets (20) is determined by optical sensors (28). Defective cigarettes (15) are removed from the group by nozzles (24). One to one correspondence between cigarettes, tappets, sensors, and nozzle ejectors allows single defective cigarettes to be rejected without rejecting the entire group of cigarettes.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the preparation of cotinine and nicotine analogs containing substituents on pyrrolidinone/pyrrolidine ring at the 3' position of cotinine and at the 4' and 5' position of nicotine.The process proceeds via a first step preparation of a cotinine intermediate which is represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein M is an alkali metal cation.

Abstract: Smoking article (10) has a filter mouthpiece (14) with a first stage filter element (18) and second stage filter element (19). First stage filter element (18) is rigidly attached to tipping paper (22). Second stage filter element (19) is free to move longitudinally in mouthpiece (14) and may be made to move axially by tapping the cigarette, thus, covering some of the ventilation holes (16) and changing the smoke to air ratio and the flavor.

Abstract: A process for employing tobacco fines in a system for preparing reconstituted tobacco is disclosed. The tobacco fines are incorporated into concentrated extract before the extract is recombined with the reconstituted sheet or into an aqueous carrier. The slurry of fines in extract or other carrier is passed through a homogenizer and then is applied as a coating to the sheet. The further drying and shredding are done in the conventional way.

Abstract: This invention provides a dispensing assembly which is adapted to deliver two separate instantaneously coreactive liquid streams into an external contacting zone. The two reactants do not make contact within the body of the dispensing assembly, which prevents solid product formation and clogging within the dispensing assembly nozzles.The dispensing assembly is suitable for the coreaction of liquid carbon dioxide and liquid ammonia to produce free-flowing ammonium carbamate powder having a purity of substantially 100 percent.

Abstract: A dynamic circumference gage (70) has a spring which maintains contact with moving cigarette rod (74). Strain gages mounted on opposite faces of the spring indicate changes in the circumference of moving cigarette rod (74). Changes in cigarette rod (74) circumference, as indicated by dynamic circumference gage (70), may be used to make adjustments in folder (42) or short tongue (30) to return cigarette rod (74) circumference to within acceptable limits. A second dynamic circumference gage (80) may be located ninety degrees from dynamic circumference gage (70) to provide accurate circumference measurements for out of round cigarettes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying particulate matter to tobacco during the cigarette making process is disclosed. The amount of particulate matter that is lost during the cigarette making process is minimized by applying the particulate matter to the tobacco as it passes through tongue (30), one of the last steps prior to enclosing the tobacco rod in the cigarette paper at folding unit (42).

Abstract: Tobacco feeder (10) consists of a conveyor belt (12), vibrating collecting pan (26), and control flaps (22a-b, 24a-b). Metering tube (16) delivers tobacco to conveyor belt (12), the speed of which varies depending on the number of cigarette making machines in operation. Conveyor belt (12) deposits tobacco on vibrating collecting pan (26) which has an inclined portion (28) to cause the tobacco flow to increase in velocity, thereby decreasing in density, as tobacco moves down the inclined portion (28). Control flaps (22a, 22b, 24a, 24b) direct the flow of tobacco to vacuum tubes (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) depending on which cigarette makers are in operation.

Abstract: For the preparation of tobacco, the insoluble proteins are initially made soluble by enzymatic treatment, dissolved and then eliminated in the solution by metabolic assimilation. The remaining solution components are then returned to the tobacco.

Abstract: A modular conveyor guide comprising first and second end walls and a connecting top wall having first, second and third regions adapted to guide first, second and third conveyors.

Abstract: Tobacco which has been increased in filling power by a conventional tobacco expansion process can be further increased in filling power by a post expansion heat treatment. The post expansion heat treatment comprises contacting the expanded tobacco produced by a conventional expansion process with a gaseous medium, such as air and/or steam, at a temperature of from about 200.degree. F. to about 450.degree. F. The post expansion heat treatment is preferably conducted at a lower temperature than the temperature of the heating step of the expansion process, and thus can be more easily controlled, while providing an additional increase in filling power. The product of the post expansion heat treatment process of this invention has been found to be as acceptable in subjective smoking characteristics as the expanded tobacco which is treated by the process.

Abstract: An improved process for expanding tobacco is disclosed wherein tobacco components such as stems, midribs and veins are contacted with an alkaline-hydrogen peroxide solution and thereafter dried and roasted to produce an expanded tobacco material highly suitable for use in smoking products. In a preferred approach, tobacco is treated with a hydroxide or oxide of a multivalent metal and then contacted with a solution of hydrogen peroxide; thereafter the tobacco is dried and roasted to produce an expanded tobacco product.

Abstract: Reducing sugars are reacted with ammonium hydroxide or ammonium salts in the presence of a trace amount of certain amino acids to produce reaction flavors for use in smoking compositions and particularly those having a high content of tobacco stems.

Abstract: Impregnated tobacco is expanded in an expansion operation involving the entrainment of the impregnated tobacco in a heated gas stream under high temperature-short entrainment time conditions resulting in a product of improved quality and enhanced expansion.

Abstract: An improved process for expanding tobacco wherein tobacco components such as stems, midribs and veins are contacted with an alkaline-hydrogen peroxide solution to effect expansion, washed and then dried and/or roasted to produce an expanded tobacco material highly suitable for use in smoking products. Prior to contact with the alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution, the tobacco materials are subjected to a pretreatment step with a multivalent salt solution to prevent clumping and/or interadherence of the tobacco shreds which would otherwise occur during the drying step.