Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the treatment of tobacco materials. More particularly, the invention relates to a process that comprises contacting tobacco with an aqueous enzyme solution exhibiting cellulase activity, incubating the tobacco-enzyme mixture, and thereafter expanding the tobacco material. Tobacco materials treated in this manner exhibit an enhanced capability for expansion, thereby resulting in a significant increase in filling capacity when compared to untreated expanded tobacco.

Abstract: A substantially horizontal grating having a plurality of substantially parallel bars extends within an enclosure that is adapted to gravitationally receive a mass of tobacco containing a cryogen and discharge smaller tobacco particles therefrom. A plurality of rotatable shafts having a plurality of blades equally separated by spacers are disposed orthogonally over the parallel bars such that the blades are located between the parallel bars. The spacers on the shafts and the parallel bars cooperate to define a plurality of sized apertures through the grating. The blades are formed to separate portions of the mass upon rotation and to urge the portions through the sized apertures for discharge from the apparatus.

Abstract: Reaction flavors for smoking compositions are disclosed. The flavors are prepared by reacting reducing sugars and selected amino acids in the presence of ammonium hydroxide and optionally in the presence of an aldehyde in an essentially solvent-free system. The thus prepared flavors may be incorporated in tobacco, reconstituted tobacco, non-tobacco substitutes or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An improved process for denitrating tobacco with minimal losses of desirable tobacco solubles employing electrodialysis is disclosed. The process comprises subjecting an aqueous tobacco extract to membrane electrodialysis such that nitrate salts are extracted, without substantial loss of desirable tobacco solubles, while minimizing conflicting reactions in the electrodialysis unit and prolonging membrane life. Conflicting reactions are reduced and membrane life is enhanced by isolation of the electrodes to prevent electrolysis in the extract and brine by use of an anion permeable membrane adjacent the cathode and by use of a catholyte, the anion of which forms soluble salts with polyvalent cations. The denitrated extract when combined with denitrated insoluble fibrous tobacco materials may be employed to produce tobacco products having reduced nitrogen oxide delivery.

Abstract: A method for utilizing waste cellulosic material by conversion to sugars suitable for use in tobacco manufacturing is disclosed. The method comprises comminuting waste cellulose products, which are generated during tobacco product manufacturing, deesterifying any waste cellulose acetate present in the waste products, enzymatically saccharifying the deesterified and comminuted products to simple sugars and recovering the sugars produced. The recovered sugars may be utilized in tobacco treatment processes. Enzymatic saccharification is preferably effected with Trichoderma viride cellulases.

Abstract: Compressors are utilized in an apparatus for treating a product such as tobacco with a liquid cryogen, such as carbon dioxide for removing vapor from a processing chamber and recompressing the vapor to facilitate its return to the cryogen system. When the compressors do not receive a supply of cool vapor from the processing chamber, the compressor temperature rises and the pressure drops. When the pressure reaches a predetermined minimum setpoint, the compressors are interconnected by means of a remotely controlled valve to a vessel containing cryogen vapor at a pressure greater than the pressure at the compressors. A supply of cool cryogen vapor thus flows to the compressors to reduce the temperature, thereby allowing continuous operation of the compressors during periods in which cryogen vapor flow from the processing chamber is interrupted or delayed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a filter cigarette having inlet vents in the filter mouthpiece divided into two groups. The distance between the two groups of inlet vents is selected to give an increased resistance to draw without appreciably decreasing dilution or total particulate matter.

Abstract: Reaction products useful for enhancing the organoleptic response of smoking materials are disclosed. The reaction of a reducing sugar, ammonia and carboxylic acid, whether saturated or unsaturated, and having from about 6 to 26 carbon atoms, results in flavorant products, which may be incorporated into smoking filler materials without additional processing, such as refining or isolating individual components of the mixture.

Abstract: This invention provides tobacco and non-tobacco smoking compositions which contain a substituted-heterocyclic compound as a flavorant additive.In one of its embodiments this invention provides tobacco compositions which contain a substituted-pyrazine flavorant additive such as 2,3-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-bis(3,5,6-trimethyl-2-pyrazinyl)butane: ##STR1## Under smoking conditions the above illustrated substituted-pyrazine additive and its pyrolysis products flavor the mainstream and sidestream smoke.

Abstract: Inert gas-permeable granular support materials impregnated with alkali ferrates wherein the ferrates are iron compounds having an oxidation state of +4, +5, or +6 are disclosed. When they are used as a granular filter material in combination with a tobacco product, hydrogen cyanide can be significantly reduced in the smoke obtained from the tobacco product. Activated carbon or alumina impregnated with sodium permanganate and a basic sodium compound may also be combined with the granular filter material.

Abstract: Humic acid-dyed paper suitable for use as wrappers for smoking articles is post treated with magnesium sulfate to fix or render the humic acid insoluble. Paper treated in this manner provides a product of acceptable brown color. Smoking articles wrapped in the treated paper evolve a reduced amount of carbon monoxide on smoking under normal conditions in comparison to currently available brown papers stained with humic acid.

Abstract: A holder for a flat circular filter attached to a smoking machine is provided with a rotatable support for the filter pad. The smoke inlet and suction outlet for the filter holder are offset from the center of the pad and holder and are in matching positions at opposite faces of the pad. At the initiation of each puff, a rotator is synchronized to turn the support and pad through a predetermined arc so that the smoke particulates are spread along said arc of the filter pad. The products of an individual puff are thus positioned for the study of puff fractions. Multiple puffs may be handled on one pad.

Abstract: A process for shredding tobacco stems into fibrillar stem fragments by striking stem shards protreptically against the inertia thereof while in dynamic suspension.

Abstract: This invention provides carboxylic acid flavorant-release oligomeric and polymeric derivatives corresponding to the structural formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN R is a member selected from aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic hydrocarbon radicals and n is an integer. The oligomeric and polymeric derivatives are stable when used in smoking products and on pyrolysis release the carboxylic acid flavorants to enhance the flavor and aroma of the smoke.

Abstract: In a pressure vessel having domed ends concave to the pressure, in certain situations, the space within the domes is undesirable. One or both ends may be equipped with space-filling inserts comprising multiple plates of aluminum or other light metal secured in slightly spaced parallel relationship.

Abstract: The invention relates to 2-alkyl nicotinoids and improved methods for producing them.

Abstract: A process is provided for the treatment of tobacco which comprises the steps of: (1) contacting tobacco which contains relatively high quantities of desirable flavorants, and which may also contain relatively high quantities of materials which may produce tar and nicotine in the tobacco smoke, for example, a flavorful bright tobacco, with a stream of non-reactive gas, under conditions whereby the tobacco is heated in a temperature range from about 140.degree. to about 180.degree. C., and preferably from about 160.degree. to about 170.degree. C., for a period of time sufficient to result in a weight loss of the tobacco of from about 3 to about 10% in excess of the weight loss represented by oven volatiles as defined herein, (2) condensing volatile constituents of the resulting gaseous stream, for example, by passing the gaseous stream in contact with a surface, maintained at a temperature of from about -78.degree. C. or lower to about 30.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to brown cigarette paper having reduced gas phase constituents during pyrolysis wherein the paper which has been stained with humic acid or salts thereof is further treated by washing with water in an amount effective to reduce the amount of water-soluble alkali metal salts present in the paper.

Abstract: A cigarette perforating mechanism which operates to perforate a cigarette after the filter final assembly in a cigarette making machine. Perforating points of V design are mounted adjustably so that the points may be set to different heights to make perforations of different size thereby to obtain better control of the depth and width of point penetration. The points are arranged on an arc and are made integral in a thin strip of sheet metal which is fixed in a rolling shoe. A rolling drum rolls the cigarettes over the shoe and the height-adjusted points to perforate the cigarette with holes to a preselected depth and width assembly depending on the preselected depth to which the V-shaped perforating points are driven into the cigarette.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process for selectively removing and recovering potassium nitrate in a relatively pure state from tobacco, and especially from Burley tobacco stems. The process comprises the steps of (1) contacting tobacco plant parts with water to obtain an aqueous extract and a fibrous tobacco residue, (2) concentrating the extract, (3) cooling the extract, and (4) separating and recovering the potassium nitrate crystals formed therein. The denitrated aqueous extract is recombined with the fibrous tobacco residue as in making reconstituted tobacco and the like. The purified potassium nitrate is suitable without further purification to use as a fertilizer, thus eliminating costly disposal problems.