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 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 gaseous ozone to prevent clumping and/or interadherence of the tobacco shreds which would otherwise occur during the drying step.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved process for synthesizing carboxamides which involves reacting 3-p-menthyl halide with magnesium to form 3-p-menthylmagnesium halide Grignard reagent, and reacting the Grignard reagent with hydrocarbyl isocyanate at a temperature below about -20.degree. C. to form N-hydrocarbyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide product.The product comprises a mixture of geometric isomers in which the 3-p-menthyl:3-p-neomenthyl weight ratio is at least 4:1 and can be as high as 9:1 under optimal conditions.This invention also provides a novel process for producing acylurea compounds such as N-(3-p-menthylcarbonyl)-N-t-butyl-N'-t-butylurea.

Abstract: A process for selectively denitrating tobacco by electrodialysis to thereby reduce the delivery of various gas phase components, during combustion of tobacco products is disclosed. The process comprises forming an aqueous tobacco extract, separating the extract from the fibrous tobacco portion, selectively denitrating the extract and reapplying the denitrated extract to a fibrous tobacco portion. Denitration of the extract is effected by circulating the extract through those cells of an electrodialysis unit having anion permeable membrane towards both anode and cathode, said extract cells being paired on their anode side with brine cells which have a cation permeable membrane toward the anode. The cell pairs are separated by cells through which an acid is circulated. Smoking products containing tobacco treated in accordance with the invention exhibit reduced delivery of nitrogen oxides during combustion.

Abstract: An artificial method of curing green tobacco is provided wherein the tobacco is exposed to sulfur dioxide gas. Curing can be effected by completely contacting the tobacco with sulfur dioxide gas and thereafter allowing the tobacco to brown until the desired color is achieved.

Abstract: A practice for moisture measurement wherein a transmission means is utilized in conjunction with a circuit means connected in shunt with the transmission means and adapted to receive a material to be tested such that the driving point impedance of the circuit means is dependent upon the moisture content of the material.

Abstract: A web sectioning apparatus wherein web sectioning occurs through engagement or interference of the cutting edges of a rotatable knife assembly with the surface of a drum and wherein an indicator is provided for generating a signal indicative of the force resulting from such interference.

Abstract: Harvested green tobacco is cured by photobleaching followed by thermal browning. Photobleaching is preferably effected after incubation in vapors of an organic liquid or steam.

Abstract: This invention provides an efficient two-step reaction sequence for producing N-t-butyl-p-menthane-3-carboxamide. The process involves forming 3-p-menthylmagnesium halide, and reacting the 3-p-menthylmagnesium halide with t-butyl isocyanate to form the product.

Abstract: A process for artificially curing mature green tobacco is provided wherein the tobacco is immersed in an acidic medium and incubated therein at at least room temperature until the desired color develops. Incubation at pH 1.5 to 3.5 at about 50.degree. C. for as little as 3 hours may be sufficient to eliminate the green color and green smoke taste and odor of the tobacco.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a sequence of webs by exposure to radiant energy. The apparatus includes structure defining a pair of independent transport paths and apparatus for emitting radiant energy and selectively directing it into either of two treatment zones, the respective treatment zones being aligned with the respective transport paths. The radiant energy is directed into the treatment zone aligned with each transport path while a web is being fed along such path. The leading end of each web is threaded along one of the transport paths while a web is being fed and treated on the other path, so the radiant energy emitting portion of the apparatus is not idle during threading.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating uncured green tobacco whereby the chemical composition of the tobacco can be altered. The method involves expressing protoplasmic juice from green uncured tobacco by means of pressure and thereafter artificially curing the tobacco. The expressed juice may be collected and processed to alter its chemical composition. The processed juice may thereupon be reapplied to tobacco from which juice has been expressed to produce a tobacco product having desired chemical characteristics.

Abstract: A method for employing tobacco dust in a paper-making process for the preparation of reconstituted tobacco is disclosed. The method for employing the tobacco dust comprises admixing tobacco dust with a bonding material to form a mixture, treating the mixture to form agglomerated particles, admixing the agglomerated particles with a tobacco-parts slurry and then forming the slurry into a sheet by means of a paper-making process, drying and then shredding the resultant reconstituted tobacco sheet. The smoking material obtained by such method is also described.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for separating tobacco and sand in stemmery discards is disclosed. The sand tobacco mixture is passed through dryer (14), to reduce the moisture content, agitated by conveyor (16), passed through sieve (18), to obtain the correct particle size and to mechanically agitate the mixture, and is then passed through electrostatic separators (24) and (25) to separate the sand from the tobacco. Portions of the electrostatically separated sand tobacco mixture may be passed through another electrostatic separator (26) to achieve a further separation of sand and tobacco.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

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: The sensory effect of cigarette smoke is improved by using a disc (24) to shape the flow of smoke (32) leaving smoking article (10) into a divergent pattern, thus increasing the perceived flavor of the cigarette. The effect is most useful with cigarettes having relatively low delivery of particulate matter.

Abstract: A web transport apparatus having an active support structure defining an active web transport path and a storage support structure defining a web storage path parallel to the active path. In use, the apparatus is juxtaposed with a treatment device so that the active path extends through the active zone of the treatment device. A sequence of semi-continuous webs may be treated by feeding each web along the active path while the next web is being threaded along the storage path, and shifting the next web laterally from the storage path to the active path upon exhaustion of the web being fed along the active path. The treatment device can remain operative while the storage path is being threaded.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing chiral nicotine and nicotine analogues of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or alkyl and R.sub.4 is alkyl. Also disclosed are novel intermediate compounds and a novel method for preparing 1-methylprolinol from prolinol, which compounds and method are useful for the preparation of these nicotinoids.