Abstract: The invention relates to a process for collecting dispersed plant material particles during the formation of a reconstituted plant material, such as a reconstituted tobacco material. The process involves extracting components from a plant material using a solvent having an aqueous character. As such, an aqueous plant material extract and a water insoluble tobacco portion are provided. At least a portion of the aqueous extract is separated from the insoluble portion. The insoluble portion is formed into a desired shape (e.g., a sheet-like shape). Excess solvent is removed from the formed insoluble plant portion. The removed solvent has plant material particles dispersed therein and is collected. A portion of the excess solvent is removed from the dispersed plant material particles. The dispersed plant material particles are then collected.

Abstract: Reconstituted tobacco has phosphate salts incorporated therein. Tobacco is extracted with water to yield an insoluble portion and an aqueous portion containing water soluble tobacco components. The aqueous portion is contacted with diammonium hydrogen orthophosphate and adjusted to a pH of about 6.5. The extract then is applied to the insoluble portion which has been formed into a sheet-like shape. The resulting tobacco composition is dried to yield a reconstituted tobacco material.

Abstract: A liquid-filled transparent container is spun momentarily to cause the liquid therein to swirl, and successive video frames provide voltage analogs through a television camera. A memory device is synchronized with the camera and stores at least one of the voltage analogs so that a comparator can subtract one successive analog signal from another to generate an error signal if foreign particles are present in the swirling liquid.