Abstract: A process for expanding tobacco is provided which employs carbon dioxide gas. Tobacco temperature and OV content are adjusted prior to contacting the tobacco with carbon dioxide gas. The disclosed process is suitable for impregnating and expanding tobacco having a high bulk density. In order to achieve a high bulk density, the tobacco may be compacted or compressed to achieve an increased and more uniform bulk density prior to its impregnation with carbon dioxide. The process may be carried out with a short cycle impregnation in an apparatus according to the invention. A thermodynamic path is followed during impregnation which allows a controlled amount of the carbon dioxide gas to condense on the tobacco. This liquid carbon dioxide evaporates during depressurization helping to cool the tobacco bed uniformly. After impregnation, the tobacco may be expanded immediately or kept at or below its post-vent temperature in a dry atmosphere for subsequent expansion.

Abstract: A process for expanding tobacco is provided which employs carbon dioxide gas. Tobacco temperature and OV content are adjusted prior to contacting the tobacco with carbon dioxide gas. The disclosed process is suitable for impregnating and expanding tobacco having a high bulk density. In order to achieve a high bulk density, the tobacco may be compacted or compressed to achieve an increased and more uniform bulk density prior to its impregnation with carbon dioxide. The process may be carried out with a short cycle impregnation in an apparatus according to the invention. A thermodynamic path is followed during impregnation which allows a controlled amount of the carbon dioxide gas to condense on the tobacco. This liquid carbon dioxide evaporates during depressurization helping to cool the tobacco bed uniformly. After impregnation, the tobacco may be expanded immediately or kept at or below its post-vent temperature in a dry atmosphere for subsequent expansion.

Abstract: A process for reordering tobacco or other suitable hygroscopic organic material, which results in no significant decrease in the equilibrium CV of the tobacco or other hygroscopic organic material, or significant degradation of the tobacco or other hygroscopic organic material, is provided. Material to be reordered is contacted with an air stream having a relative humidity near the equilibrium conditions of the material. As the OV content of the hygroscopic organic material increases, the relative humidity of the air stream contacting the hygroscopic organic material is increased to affect reordering of the material. Also provided is a process for drying tobacco or other suitable hygroscopic organic material, which results in no significant change in the equilibrium CV of the tobacco or other hygroscopic organic material or significant degradation of the tobacco or other suitable hygroscopic organic material.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that comprises a self-stacking spiral conveyor that traverses through a circulating atmosphere. The atmosphere is manipulated by one or more chambers having an open side adjacent to the perforated sides of the spiral conveyor. Additional control over the circulating atmosphere may be achieved by injection or ejection of gas into one or more chambers.

Abstract: A process for reordering tobacco wherein tobacco is contacted with an air stream having a relative humidity near the equilibrium conditions of the tobacco. As the OV content of the tobacco increases, the relative humidity of the air stream contacting the tobacco is increased to effect reordering of the tobacco. Also provided is a process for drying tobacco, wherein tobacco is contacted with an air stream having a relative humidity near or below the equilibrium conditions of the tobacco. As the OV content of the tobacco decreases, the relative humidity of the air stream contacting the tobacco is decreased to effect drying of the tobacco. Tobacco is reordered or dried according to the processes of the present invention in a continuous manner preferably using a self-stacking spiral conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that comprises a self-stacking spiral conveyor that traverses through a circulating atmosphere. The atmosphere is manipulated by one or more chambers having an open side adjacent to the perforated sides of the spiral conveyor. Additional control over the circulating atmosphere may be achieved by injection or ejection of gas into one or more chambers.

Abstract: A process for expanding tobacco is provided which employs carbon dioxide gas. Tobacco temperature and OV content are adjusted prior to contacting the tobacco with carbon dioxide gas. A thermodynamic path is followed during impregnation which allows a controlled amount of the carbon dioxide gas to condense on the tobacco. This liquid carbon dioxide evaporates during depressurization helping to cool the tobacco bed uniformly. After impregnation, the tobacco may be expanded immediately or kept at or below its post-vent temperature in a dry atmosphere for subsequent expansion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for applying foamed material to tobacco, particularly in connection with the making of cigarettes. The foamed material may be added to the tobacco, for example, in the paper guide section of a cigarette maker at the garniture mouth (21) or through the short tongue (30) or through both, or at the chimney (10). Addition of a foamed material to the tobacco, during the cigarette making process, results in a cigarette in which the material added is more uniformly distributed.

Abstract: An expanded wrapper is provided which includes a flexible layer of sheet material with stiffening means attached to a surface of the sheet material. The expanded wrapper can be used in the fabrication of smoking articles thus providing an article in which the resulting firmness and rigidity can be made independent of the density of the smoking material.