Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing an expanded tobacco material. According to the method, a tobacco material (TM) is fed into a pressure vessel (11), followed by pressurizing the interior of the pressure vessel (11) with a carbon dioxide gas to a predetermined impregnation pressure. Then, a liquid carbon dioxide (21) is supplied from above the tobacco material (TM) into the pressure vessel through a sintered metal plate (13), etc., while maintaining the impregnation pressure, thereby saturating the interior of the pressure vessel (11) with a carbon dioxide gas generated by vaporization of the supplied liquid carbon dioxide, and cooling the tobacco material by the latent heat of vaporization of the liquid carbon dioxide, so as to impregnate the tobacco material with carbon dioxide. The tobacco material impregnated with carbon dioxide is brought into contact with a hot gaseous stream within a gaseous stream dryer so as to expand the tobacco material.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for expanding and drying tobacco by means of vapor and/or hot gas are described, in accordance with which the tobacco is metered into an interior space (4) delimited by at least two flat jets (3, 3'). The flat jets flow into the channel from mutually opposing slotted nozzles (2, 2') and are directed towards one another at an acute angle and take up and consequently accelerate the tobacco suddenly. After the velocity acceleration by the flat jets, the tobacco is deflected by means of transverse flow, accelerated again, expanded and dried.

Abstract: A method of plumping cut tobacco includes impregnating the cut tobacco with an adjuvant plumping agent and forcing the adjuvant plumping agent to expand in order to inflate the tissues of cut tobacco (plumping step), idly storing the plumped tobacco with a low moisture content level (idle storage step) and remoisturizing the cut tobacco after the idle storage step by adding moisture to achieve a predetermined final moisture content level (moisture content regulating step). With such a method, cut tobacco can be remarkably plumped before it is used for cigarette production.

Abstract: With the present invention a tobacco sheet or foil is proposed which has an elevated filling force and consists of tobacco particles, water, binders and moisturizers, and relatively gas-impermeable, in particular surface-sealed cover layers being connected together by a spongy structure which is formed by gas-filled bubbles, and in which cavities are formed having a shaggy, furrowed and/or torn surface.

Abstract: In order to effect expansion of a shredded material, said material is impregnated with an inert organic liquid, which is subsequently vaporized. The major portion of the impregnation agent is removed by separation. In order to eliminate the residual amount of impregnation agent still contained in the material, the material is fed by conveyor belt (31) into a microwave chamber (35). The microwave chamber (35) is provided with microwave energy under continuous control conditions. The vapors are siphoned off and fed into a regenerator for recovery of the impregnation agent. Conditioned, pressurized air is directed at the material in the microwave chamber (35) through discharge nozzles (38) to cause the material to whirl up and become fluidized. The pressurized air serves as a carrier gas for the residual impregnation agent that is to be removed and may simultaneously be used for conditioning the tobacco.

Abstract: Cut tobacco is treated with a supersaturated aqueous solution of calcium citrate and excess moisture is removed. The result is a significant increase in the filling power of the cut tobacco.

Abstract: A process for increasing and maintaining the filling power of tobacco, in which an effective amount of at least one cross-linking agent is applied to the tobacco and reacted with various components therein. The cross-linking agent may be applied directly or in the form of a solution, and is preferably employed in conjunction with an expansion treatment of the tobacco.

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: A process is disclosed for increasing the filling power of tobacco by contacting the tobacco, preferably by dry blending, with at least one basic calcium compound in an amount such that the treated tobacco has a pH of at least about 8, and heating the tobacco in the presence of sufficient moisture to establish and maintain its OV value within the range of from about 14% to about 40% and at a temperature and for a time sufficient to increase the filling power of the tobacco. As an additional first step, the tobacco may be contacted with an acid to achieve a tobacco product of lighter color.

Abstract: An improved process for expanding tobacco is disclosed wherein tobacco components such as stems, midribs and veins are contacted with an alkaline-hydrogen peroxide solution and thereafter dried and roasted to produce an expanded tobacco material highly suitable for use in smoking products. In a preferred approach, tobacco is treated with a hydroxide or oxide of a multivalent metal and then contacted with a solution of hydrogen peroxide; thereafter the tobacco is dried and roasted to produce an expanded tobacco product.

Abstract: Tobacco which has been increased in filling power by a conventional tobacco expansion process can be further increased in filling power by a post expansion heat treatment. The post expansion heat treatment comprises contacting the expanded tobacco produced by a conventional expansion process with a gaseous medium, such as air and/or steam, at a temperature of from about 200.degree. F. to about 450.degree. F. The post expansion heat treatment is preferably conducted at a lower temperature than the temperature of the heating step of the expansion process, and thus can be more easily controlled, while providing an additional increase in filling power. The product of the post expansion heat treatment process of this invention has been found to be as acceptable in subjective smoking characteristics as the expanded tobacco which is treated by the process.

Abstract: An improved process for expanding tobacco is disclosed wherein tobacco components such as stems, midribs and veins are contacted with an alkaline-hydrogen peroxide solution to effect expansion, washed and then dried and/or roasted to produce an expanded tobacco material highly suitable for use in smoking products. Prior to contact with the alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution, the tobacco materials are subjected to a pretreatment step with gaseous ozone to prevent clumping and/or interadherence of the tobacco shreds which would otherwise occur during the drying step.

Abstract: An improved process for expanding tobacco wherein tobacco components such as stems, midribs and veins are contacted with an alkaline-hydrogen peroxide solution to effect expansion, washed and then dried and/or roasted to produce an expanded tobacco material highly suitable for use in smoking products. Prior to contact with the alkaline hydrogen peroxide solution, the tobacco materials are subjected to a pretreatment step with a multivalent salt solution to prevent clumping and/or interadherence of the tobacco shreds which would otherwise occur during the drying step.

Abstract: A method for increasing the filling power of sheet or shredded reconstituted tobacco which is normally not susceptible to conventional expansion techniques is provided. In the practice of the method reconstituted tobacco having a uniform moisture content of 15-50 weight percent is heated to a temperature above about 90.degree. C. for a period of time beyond that required to drive off substantially all moisture and then is reordered. Heating may be effected in a convection or microwave oven or a drying tower. By means of the method, the tobacco is stiffened whereby a substantially irreversible filling power increase is effected.

Abstract: Through interaction with the pectinaceous materials of tobacco smoking products, increased filling power of tobacco constituents is accomplished, in accordance with the present invention, by means of maintaining the tobacco, usually in shredded form, in an expanded form by applying, in solution thereto, multivalent metal and organic acid salts, especially those salts found in the hydrated form. The multivalent salt additives cause the pectinaceous materials of the tobacco to retain the expanded bulk volume of the tobacco.