Abstract: The present invention describes a low frequency, low shear, in-line mixer which operates using a pressurized flow of material, in gas or liquid form, to efficiently mix the flow with another gas, liquid or solid (small, particle-sized) material. The essential components are a chamber, an inlet orifice and a tapered, cantilevered reed with a weight on the unattached end of the reed. The pressurized flow of material across the cantilevered reed induces it to vibrate, thereby mixing the materials in the pressurized flow. Mathematical formulae are used in setting the construction parameters for the reed so that it vibrates at a lower frequency, creates less shear and consumes less power than previous mixers of similar design.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of adhesive onto a moving substrate is provided using a thermal flowmeter. It is particularly designed for the tobacco industry wherein the flow of adhesive onto a continuous ribbon of paper in forming the side seam on tobacco rods requires consistent, controlled flow independent of external factors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing tobacco sheet material comprising the steps of acoustic mixing with ultrasonic vibration a slurry containing tobacco components and forming sheets of tobacco material by casting the slurry after acoustic mixing. Additionally, the slurry is mixed with subsonic vibration and low shear mixing before the slurry is acoustic mixed. The slurry may include sized tobacco stems, sized tobacco dust and extract solution.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for in-place cleaning and priming of an in-place nozzle assembly which in normal operation receives from a reservoir and discharges to a work area a fluid material which tends to leave behind an accumulation of undesired residue. The apparatus includes control means for sequentially actuating for a selected cleaning time period first selectively actuatable means thereby to deliver an effective quantity of the cleaning substance to the nozzle and for actuating for a selected rinsing time period second selectively actuatable means thereby to deliver an effective quantity of the rinsing substance to the nozzle. The apparatus also includes third selectively actuatable means for drawing fluid material from the reservoir and delivering the same to the nozzle for a selected priming time period first to flush out any remaining rinsing substance from the nozzle and then to leave the nozzle primed with the fluid material.

Abstract: High temperature processes and thermophilic organisms for use in those processes for reducing the levels of certain nitrogen-containing compounds in tobacco materials. Tobacco materials are contacted with at least one thermophilic organism characterized by an anaerobic, dissimilatory, metabolic pathway for denitrification of tobacco materials under anaerobic and high temperature conditions that promote such metabolism. Tobacco materials treated in accordance with these high temperature processes and thermophilic organisms, when incorporated into a smoking product, deliver a significantly reduced amount of oxide of nitrogen in smoke. Moreover, such tobacco materials also afford the product of other tobacco products having lower amounts of nitrates and other nitrogen-containing compounds.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for removing covering material from a bale of, for example, Oriental tabacco leaves at production line speeds which causes only minimal damage to the underlying bale and only minimal contamination of the underlying bale with particles, fragments and/or fibers of the covering material.

Abstract: An improved process for the reduction of the nitrate content of tobacco materials via dissimilatory denitrification is disclosed wherein more rapid reduction of nitrate to nitrogen gas is effected by utilizing a vacuum during incubation. The process comprises inoculating nitrate-containing tobacco material with a microorganism capable of dissimilatory denitrification and thereafter incubating the tobacco material under conditions whereby the nitrate is reduced to nitrogen gas via dissimilatory denitrification while applying a vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for increasing the filling power of tobacco which comprises heating the tobacco at elevated temperature while maintaining the OV and SV values of the tobacco substantially constant. Preferably, the tobacco is heated at a temperature of at least about 80.degree. C. in a closed system for a time sufficient to increase the CV value of the tobacco.

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 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.