Abstract: Concentrated tobacco extracts or essences are provided by first extracting water soluble components from tobacco. The aqueous extract then is contacted with supercritical carbon dioxide, and certain tobacco components in turn are extracted from the aqueous extract. Alternatively, the aqueous extract is subjected to a spray drying step, and the spray dried extract is contacted with supercritical carbon dioxide in order that certain tobacco components are extracted from the spray dried extract. The resulting extracted components are separated from the supercritical fluid in order to yield a tobacco essence. The essence has a homogeneous, viscous character and exhibits a tobacco aroma. The essence is useful as a flavoring agent for cigarettes and other smoking articles.

Abstract: Tobacco cut filler is subjected to extraction conditions using tap water as a solvent using a counter current, counter rotating, upwardly inclined extraction apparatus. The extracted tobacco material which is collected undergoes no significant physical degradation while having a high level of water extractables removed therefrom. Aqueous tobacco extracts having relatively high levels of tobacco extractables also can be provided. Extracted tobacco material also can be re-equilibrated with a tobacco extract by contacting the extracted tobacco material and an aqueous tobacco extract in a counter current, counter rotating, upwardly inclined extraction apparatus.

Abstract: Aqueous tobacco extracts are provided by subjecting finely ground tobacco laminae to extraction conditions in the presence of an aqueous solvent and an active enzyme. Then, the enzyme is deactivated, and a liquid aqueous tobacco extract is separated from the insoluble tobacco pulp which remains. The liquid extract is collected and used as a form of tobacco for smoking article manufacture.

Abstract: Flavorful tobacco extracts are provided by subjecting a moist spray dried tobacco extract to heat treatment. The moist extract is contacted with a furanone, a pyranone or an alpha-dicarbonyl compound, and exposed to a temperature above about 100.degree. C. in a pressure controlled vessel. Resulting flavorful extracts are useful as forms of tobacco in cigarettes and other smoking articles.

Abstract: Fractionated plant extracts, particularly essentially nicotine-free tobacco extracts, useful as tobacco flavorants and methods for preparing and using the same are described herein. These fractionated extracts are stable, non-volatile and relatively odorless under conditions of smoking article or smoking substitute article manufacture and storage, but when thermally provoked, the extracts deliver characteristic flavor to smoking articles or smoking substitute articles. The fractionated plant extracts may be prepared by contacting plant matter with a solvent to produce a crude plant extract; removing the solvent from this plant extract; and isolating a fraction of this extract that when thermally provoked provides the characteristic aroma and flavor of the plant by size exclusion chromatography and monitoring the fraction's integrity by suitable detection means.

Abstract: Tobacco material is extracted with an extraction solvent to provide a aqueous extract and a tobacco portion insoluble in the solvent. The extract is separated from the insoluble portion and is provided within the water at a concentration at least about 30 percent, based on the weight of the extract and solvent. The extract and solvent are subjected to temperature treatment including reducing the temperature of the extract and solvent from a first temperature to a second temperature. Potassium nitrate crystals form as a precipitate and are separated from the extract and solvent. Then, the extract and solvent are contacted with activated carbon particles and separated therefrom.

Abstract: Processes for producing flavor substances from tobacco are disclosed. The processes involve heating tobacco during a first staged heating to a first toasting temperature to drive off volatile materials; increasing the toasting temperature during a second staged heating to a second toasting temperature and separately collecting, as flavor substances, at least portions of the volatile materials driven off at the first and second toasting temperatures.Another aspect of the present invention involves reducing the moisture content of the tobacco without removing volatile flavor components, such as by freeze drying the tobacco, and then heating the dried tobacco.Preferably the tobacco is heated in a flowing gas stream and at least portions of the volatile materials are separately collected as flavor substances as the gas stream passes sequentially through a moderate temperature trap, a cold temperature trap and a filter capable of collecting submicron sized particles.

Abstract: Tobacco cut filler is processed to have a controlled extract content. The processed cut filler is provided by (i) providing an aqueous tobacco extract, (ii) providing tobacco cut filler which has been extracted with an aqueous liquid, (iii) contacting the aqueous extract with the extracted cut filler, (iv) deliquoring the mixture of aqueous extract and extracted cut filler such that a certain level of the tobacco extract remains in contact with the extracted cut filler, and (v) drying the deliquored cut filler to provide a processed cut filler. As such, tobacco cut filler can be processed so as to have higher or lower levels of tobacco extractables therein, as compared to that of the tobacco cut filler prior to processing.

Abstract: Burley tobacco stems are extracted with tap water to provide a water soluble extract and a water insoluble pulp. The extract and water are separated from the pulp. The extract is provided within the water at a concentration at least about 30 percent, based on the weight of the extract and water. Then, the extract and water are heated to about 200.degree. F. The extract and water then is cooled to ambient temperature. Potassium nitrate crystals form as a precipitate and are separated from the extract and water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for providing a tobacco extract. A tobacco material and extraction solvent are provided physically separated from each other. The extraction solvent is then volatized. The tobacco material is subjected to extraction conditions by contacting the tobacco material with the volatized extraction solvent to provide a tobacco extract within the volatized extraction solvent. The extraction conditions include (i) maintaining the pressure of the tobacco material and extraction solvent at less than about 10 mm of Hg pressure and (ii) maintaining the tobacco material and extraction solvent at a temperature of greater than about 30.degree. C. and less than the boiling point at atmospheric pressure of the volatized extraction solvent.

Abstract: Reconstituted tobacco material is provided by extracting tobacco material using water to provide an insoluble portion and an aqueous extract. The insoluble portion is formed into a sheet-like shape. The aqueous extract is blended with a further tobacco extract which is provided by treating Burley tobacco strip with ammonia and steam. The aqueous tobacco extract and further tobacco extract optionally can be heat treated, contacted with a water soluble phosphate salt, and/or contacted with levulinic acid. The aqueous extract and further tobacco extract are combined with the insoluble portion, resulting in a reconstituted tobacco material. The reconstituted tobacco material is blended with other tobacco materials and employed as cut filler in cigarette manufacture.

Abstract: Tobacco extracts are provided by first extracting tobacco material with water and then subjecting the resulting aqueous tobacco extract to a liquid/liquid extraction process using a long chain alcohol. Preferably, the pH of the aqueous extract is adjusted to about 9 or above prior to the liquid/liquid extraction step. The two immiscible solvents then are separated from one another such that there is provided an aqueous tobacco extract having certain extracted tobacco components removed therefrom and long chain alcohol solvent having extracted tobacco components carried thereby. The processed aqueous extract can be spray dried to provide a concentrated tobacco extract which then can be employed as flavorful forms of tobacco for cigarette and other smoking articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for providing a tobacco extract. A tobacco material is provided in contact with an extraction solvent. The temperature of the tobacco material and liquid extraction solvent is reduced to below the freezing point thereof to provide a frozen mixture. The temperature of the frozen mixture is then raised to provide a melted portion including the tobacco extract within the liquid extraction solvent. The extract within the solvent preferably has a high soluble solids content (e.g., at least 10 percent by weight of the total weight of the melted portion). If desired, the tobacco extract within the extraction solvent can be further treated (e.g., chemically or physically) to provide or isolate flavorful and aromatic tobacco-derived components of tobacco extract.

Abstract: Tobacco cut filler is processed and has an additive provided in intimate contact therewith. The processed cut filler provided by (i) providing an aqueous tobacco extract having an essentially water insoluble additive in contact therewith, (ii) providing tobacco cut filler which has been extracted with an aqueous liquid, (iii) contacting the aqueous extract with the extracted cut filler (iv) deliquoring the mixture of aqueous extract and extracted cut filler such that a certain level of the tobacco extract remains in contact with the extracted cut filler, and (v) drying the deliquored cut filler to provide a processed cut filler. Additives, such as menthol, can be provided in intimate contact with tobacco cut filler in such a manner.

Abstract: Flavorful tobacco extracts are provided by subjecting a tobacco extract to heat treatment. The tobacco extract is contacted with an ammonia compound capable of releasing ammonia or a base capable of releasing ammonia indigenous to the tobacco extract, and then is subjected to a heat treatment above about 100.degree. C. in a pressure controlled environment. Resulting flavorful extracts are useful as forms of tobacco in cigarettes and other smoking articles.

Abstract: A method is described for extracting tobacco alkaloids from tobacco in which the tobacco alkaloids are extracted from the tobacco with carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions and the tobacco alkaloids separated from the carbon dioxide, wherein in the carbon dioxide for the extraction of the tobacco alkaloids from the tobacco is mixed with a solid 2 to 3-basic organic acid having a total of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, a monoalkali or monoammonium salts thereof in order to appreciably shorten the extraction times.

Abstract: Tobacco-derived components of a tobacco extract are provided by fermenting the tobacco extract within a fermentation bath. The extract may be subjected to heat treatment in a pressure controlled environment prior to and/or after fermenting.The fermented tobacco extract is then distilled at a temperatrue to provide a distillate which includes tobacco-derived components of the tobacco extract. If the extract has not previously been subjected to heat treatment, the distillate can be subjected to heat treatment in a pressure controlled environment.

Abstract: Tobacco cut filler has an extremely high filling capacity. Tobacco cut filler is contacted with tap water under extraction conditions, and resulting aqueous tobacco extract is separated from the water insoluble extracted tobacco material. The extracted tobacco material is contacted with humectant, provided at a desired moisture level, and subjected to volume expansion conditions. Volume expanded extracted tobacco materials are used as smokable materials in cigarette manufacture.

Abstract: Flavorful tobacco-derived flavorful components of a tobacco material are provided by extraction of the tobacco material with an extraction solvent in the form of a polyhydric alcohol or ester thereof. The tobacco material is subjected to extraction conditions above about 100.degree. C. and under conditions sufficient to provide the flavorful tobacco-derived extraction product. The tobacco material and the extraction solvent can be contacted in the presence of at least one reaction component such as at least one amino acid and/or at least one sugar.

Abstract: Denicotinized tobacco cut filler is provided by (i) providing an aqueous denicotinized tobacco extract, (ii) providing tobacco cut filler which has been extracted with an aqueous liquid, (iii) contacting the aqueous extract with the extracted cut filler, (iv) deliquoring the mixture of aqueous extract and extracted cut filler such that a certain level of the tobacco extract remains in contact with the extracted cut filler, and (v) drying the deliquored cut filler to provide a processed cut filler. Greater than 90 percent of the nicotine present in tobacco cut filler can be removed therefrom using such process steps.

Abstract: Flavorful tobacco extracts are provided by subjecting a moist spray dried tobacco extract to heat treatment. The moist extract is contacted with a sugar and an amino acid, and exposed to a temperature above about 100.degree. C. in a pressure controlled vessel. Resulting flavorful extracts are useful as forms of tobacco in cigarettes and other smoking articles.

Abstract: A cigarette comprises a blend of tobacco materials. The blend includes volume expanded flue-cured tobacco cut filler and a reconstituted tobacco material in cut filler form. The reconstituted tobacco material includes calcium carbonate and tobacco parts which are formed into a sheet-like shape using a papermaking process. The cigarette can include a filter element provided from a non-woven polypropylene web, glycerin and a water soluble tobacco extract. Such a cigarette can generate low levels of visible sidestream smoke.

Abstract: Denicotinized tobacco cut filler is provided by (i) extracting the cut filler with an aqueous denicotinized extract and thereby providing a mixture of aqueous extract and extracted cut filler, (ii) deliquoring the mixture of aqueous extract and extracted cut filler such that a certain level of tobacco extract remains in contact with the extracted cut filler, and (iii) drying the deliquored tobacco extract/extracted cut filler to provide a processed cut filler. Greater than 90 percent of the nicotine present in tobacco cut filler can be removed therefrom using such process steps.

Abstract: A process is provided for the selective removal of basic materials from plant products, in particular, for removing nicotine from tobacco without materially affecting the content of the other components of the tobacco. Tobacco is traversed with a solvent at high pressure and in a physical state which is either a liquid at a pressure of from about 500-300 atmospheres or a supercritical fluid wherein nicotine and the other components dissolve in the solvent. As the single means of removing substances from the solvent, the solvent is then passed through an acid-containing trap where the solvent is essentially freed of nicotine. The solvent, depleted of nicotine and enriched in the other components, is then recycled to the tobacco to reextract nicotine.

Abstract: In processes for high pressure extraction, a gaseous solvent under high pressure is conducted through an extractor filled with solid material and in this process takes on organic components from the solid materials. These are subsequently separated in a separator and the solvent is again delivered to the extractor. In particular, when gas mixtures having a reduced solvating power are used as solvent to increase the selectivity of the components to be dissolved out, high gas throughputs become necessary to produce a certain amount of product. In order to reduce the high gas throughputs, the solid materials are soaked with a gaseous solvent under high pressure without gas extraction before the circulation process begins. The solvent composition as well as the soaking conditions may deviate from the extraction conditions. In this process, prior to the extraction stage, the solid material in the extractor is soaked with a gaseous solvent under high pressure without the occurrence of a gas flow.

Abstract: Concentrated tobacco extracts are provided by first extracting water soluble components from tobacco. The aqueous extract then is spray dried to a dry powder form. As such, the extract is in a low solvent form (i.e., the solvent content including moisture content of the extract is less than about 12 weight percent). The spray dried extract is contacted with a lower alcohol such as methanol or ethanol, and certain components are extracted from the spray dried extract. The resulting extracted components are isolated from the alcohol solvent in order to yield a tobacco essence. The essence has a homogeneous, viscous character and exhibits a tobacco aroma. The essence is useful as a flavoring agent for cigarettes and other smoking articles.

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 adjusted to a pH of about 7, and contacted with diammonium hydrogen orthophosphate. 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: Tobacco extracts are provided by first extracting tobacco material with water and then subjecting the resulting aqueous tobacco extract to a liquid/liquid extraction process using a halocarbon or a halogenated hydrocarbon. Preferably, the pH of the aqueous extract is adjusted to about 9 or above prior to the liquid/liquid extraction step. The two immiscible solvents then are separated from one another such that there is provided an aqueous tobacco extract having certain extracted tobacco components removed therefrom and halocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon solvent having extracted tobacco components carried thereby. The processed aqueous extract can be spray dried to provide a concentrated tobacco extract which then can be employed as a flavoring agent for cigarettes and other smoking articles. Tobacco components carried by the halocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon solvent also can be separated from that solvent.

Abstract: Flue-cured tobacco can be treated with burley tobacco flavor components and subjected to volume expansion conditions. Flavor components are supercritically extracted from burley tabacco and directly applied to the flue-cured tobacco while the extraction fluid is in a supercritical or subcritical state.

Abstract: Tobacco material having a reduced protein content is provided by first extracting water soluble components from tobacco. The extracted residue then is subjected to enzyme treatment using an enzyme which can decompose water insoluble protein molecules to smaller sized water soluble molecular components. The enzyme treated extracted tobacco material then is isolated. The extracted tobacco components then can be reapplied to the protein reduced tobacco material. The tobacco material so processed is use as smokable material for cigarette manufacture.

Abstract: The tar and nicotine content of tobacco is reduced by passing through the tobacco a combination of steam and starch cells.

Abstract: Flue-cured tobacco can be treated with burley tobacco flavor components and subjected to volume expansion conditions. Flavor components are supercritically extracted from burley tobacco and directly applied to the flue-cured tobacco while the extraction fluid is in a supercritical or subcritical state.

Abstract: Smoking products, for example cigarettes, cut tobacco, pipe tobacco, cigarillos and the like, give an increased yield of nicotine in the tobacco smoke without impairment of the taste of the smoke, when trans-nicotine N'-oxide, which is free or substantially free of cis-nicotine N'-oxide or contains at most 10% by weight of the cis-isomer, is added thereto in a quantity of up to 5% by weight, relative to the dry weight of the tobacco. The nicotine N-oxide is prepared by oxidizing nicotine with an aqueous H.sub.2 O.sub.2 solution in the presence of a catalytic amount of non-oxidizing acid having a pk value of less than 5 to produce an oxidation mixture containing trans and cis-nicotine N'-oxide.

Abstract: A new process for preparing a tobacco flavoring formulation is provided. In this process, tobacco leaves are extracted with cold water 0.degree.-10.degree. C. in a quantity at most five times as much as the amount thereof, an extracted liquid obtained by solid-liquid separation is concentrated at a temperature of 30.degree.-50.degree. C. to a solute concentration of 25-35%, and the thus obtained concentrated extract is compounded with a polyvalent alcohol into said formulation.

Abstract: Aromatic substances are produced from diterpene fractions in a solvent which is oxidized in the absence of photochemically active radiation. The oxidation is performed with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a catalyst. The oxidizing agent is selected from oxygen, peroxo compounds, halogenates and periodates. The catalyst is selected from compounds of tin, lead, cerium, and transition metals of groups Ib, IVb, Vb, VIb, VIIb and VIII.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a smoking tobacco having a low nitrate content includes at least one stage through which a tobacco having a relatively high nitrate content, for example burley tobacco, continuously passes for continuous nitrate removal by dissolution. In the nitrate removal stage, a solvent is added to, for example, the burley tobacco to form a slurry. The free solvent, including dissolved nitrates, is decanted from the slurry leaving saturated burley tobacco. The saturated burley tobacco is subjected to an expression pressure to remove a further amount of solvent and dissolved nitrates therefrom. After the burley tobacco leaves the nitrate removing stage, it is mixed with another tobacco, such as, for example, a flue-cured tobacco. The tobacco mixture is then expanded and dried to a moisture content suitable for use in a smoking article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for obtaining aromatic materials from a tobacco extract (primary extract) obtainable by means of solvents, by mixing this tobacco extract with an adsorbent, treating the mixture obtained with CO.sub.2 in a pressure extraction vessel under extraction conditions (secondary extraction) and isolating a clear tobacco aroma oil in a downstream separating vessel.The invention also relates to a new tobacco aroma oil which is free of resins, waxes and polyphenols and has a considerably reduced nicotine content.The invention further relates to the use of the obtainable tobacco aroma oil for aromatizing tobacco or tobacco products.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for safely and effectively facilitating the ignition of logs positioned on a grate within a fireplace. It includes an elongated open top container and a base for support. The open top of the container maintains a flame sustained by the combustion of vaporized fuel. Once combustion of the fuel is initiated, the container walls defining this opening receive and conduct heat to the fuel reservoir to vaporize more fuel and thereby sustain combustion. Combustion may be initiated by a combustible wick. The upper section of the windward wall of the container slopes downwardly and outwardly from the opening at the top of the container and this surface cooperates with the surface formed by the bottom of the grate and its contents. Together, these surfaces restrict the natural draft underneath the grate producing somewhat of a venturi effect thereby increasing the velocity of the draft.

Abstract: A tobacco extractor (10) for extracting liquid and soluble constituents from cut, small plants or tobacco is disclosed. The extractor (10) consists of a worm conveyor (16) for conveying the tobacco through a V-shaped conduit (11, 12) while the wash liquid passes through the conduit in an opposite direction.

Abstract: Freshly cut tobacco leaves are processed wherein the processing includes particle size reduction and drying immediately upon harvesting.

Abstract: A process for selectively denitrating tobacco by electrodialysis to thereby reduce the delivery of various gas phase components, during combustion of tobacco products is disclosed. The process comprises forming an aqueous tobacco extract, separating the extract from the fibrous tobacco portion, selectively denitrating the extract and reapplying the denitrated extract to a fibrous tobacco portion. Denitration of the extract is effected by circulating the extract through those cells of an electrodialysis unit having anion permeable membrane towards both anode and cathode, said extract cells being paired on their anode side with brine cells which have a cation permeable membrane toward the anode. The cell pairs are separated by cells through which an acid is circulated. Smoking products containing tobacco treated in accordance with the invention exhibit reduced delivery of nitrogen oxides during combustion.

Abstract: Aromatic substances to be applied to tobacco to improve aroma characteristics are prepared by exposing an alcoholic extract, which contains diterpenes and has been isolated from the surface resin of fresh tobacco plants, parts or from gum originating from tobacco flowers, to ultraviolet light and oxygen.

Abstract: Aromatic substances to be applied to tobacco to improve aroma characteristics are prepared by exposing an alcoholic extract, which contains carotenoids and may additionally contain diterpenes and has been isolated from fresh tobacco plants, to ultraviolet light and oxygen. Additionally, aromatic substances may be produced from xanthophyll containing plant extracts by the same method.

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 obtaining a smoking material additive which is a smoke-aroma precursor comprises the steps of removing surface gum, preferably surface gum only, from Nicotinia plant leaves or flowers and subjecting the gum to a partition or purification process whereby a diterpene fraction constituting the said precursor and a fraction containing undesirable lipids are obtained, the latter fraction being discarded. The gum may be removed by solvent washing, suitably with chloroform. The partition or purification step may be a two-phase solvent partition process, for example using a hexane/aqueous methanol system.