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: 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.

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 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: 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: 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.