Abstract: An apparatus for impregnating tobacco with an expansion agent includes a chamber for confining a charge of tobacco under elevated pressure conditions. An accumulator connected to the chamber maintains a supply of an expansion agent in fluid form under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure but less than the desired tobacco impregnation temperature and pressure. The expansion agent is forcibly and rapidly moved from the accumulator and introduced into the chamber under conditions such that the pressure and temperature of the expansion agent are increased to the desired impregnation temperature and pressure, preferably including a pressure approaching or above the supercritical pressure thereof.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for tobacco expansion is employed for expanding tobacco at rapid throughput rates. The apparatus includes a spool and shell assembly wherein the spool is moveable within the shell between loading, impregnating, and unloading positions. In the impregnating position, sealing assemblies seal the radial clearance between shell and the end members of the spool to provide a pressure vessel for tobacco impregnation. The sealing assemblies includes at least one elastically deformable sealing ring associated with the circumferential exterior of the end member. A pressure applying member is operatively associated with an axial end of each of the sealing members to releasably impart axial pressure onto the axial end of the sealing member when the spool is in the treating position to cause radial expansion of the deformable sealing ring and thereby accomplish sealing of the spool within the shell.

Abstract: An apparatus for expanding tobacco includes a chamber having a spool and shell arrangement and a device for compressing tobacco into the shell for impregnation. The spool includes first and second cylindrical end members and a connecting rod between the first and second end members. A seal is provided between the outer surface of the end members and the shell. Expansion agent is introduced into the chamber to impregnate the tobacco for expansion.

Abstract: A weed pulling device designed to apply a substantially vertical force to the stem of a weed engaged by the device comprises a tubular body having a first end that is bifurcated to provide two opposing members having edges that define two cooperating V-shaped slots or openings positioned in confronting relationship. One of the V-shaped slots or openings is designed to engage and retain the stem of a weed while the second V-shaped slot or opening is designed to contact the stem of the weed in a non-cutting manner as the device is manipulated to cause the weed stem to wrap around the bifurcated end of the tubular body.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for tobacco expansion is employed for expanding tobacco at rapid throughput rates. The apparatus includes a spool and shell assembly wherein the spool is moveable into and out of the shell between loading, impregnating, and unloading positions. In the impregnating position, sealing assemblies seal the radial clearance between the spool and shell to provide a pressure vessel for tobacco impregnation. The sealing assemblies include at least one elastically deformable sealing ring and an annularly shaped axial pressure applying member to releasably impart axial pressure to the sealing ring. The axial pressure applying member receives fluid pressure from a hydraulic fluid and preferably receives additional fluid pressure from the expansion agent used to expand the tobacco.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering vapors used in a processing system which expands tobacco to increase its filling capacity, including a tank having a supply of condensable compound in its liquid state and a less dense chilling liquid which is maintained at a temperature below the boiling point of the condensable compound and floats thereon. The upper portion of the tank is segregated into a condensor section which receives the vapors from the processing system and a compressor section for maintaining a selected pressure in the tank. A sparging header is provided within the chilling liquid to receive and introduce the vapors of the compound in the condensor section of the tank so that the vapors will be condensed and settle to the bottom of the tank.