Importance

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Abstract

A process for exapanding tobacco employs gaseous impregnant at elevated pressure. Tobacco is passed through a gaseous impregnant atmosphere using mechanical devices (e.g., pressure locks, pocket feeders). Tobacco gets impregnated with pressurized gaseous impregnant during the 'pass-through'. Uniformity of impregnation is obtained by passing small batches of tobacco having uniform bulk density, and uniform gas properties at or near the tobacco exit point of the 'Pass-through'. Natural buoyancy of the impregnant gas assures that gas temperature uniformity is achieved quickly and without any elaborate control system, and in a simplified, self controlling and self regulating process. Significant equipment cost and size reduction results. An apparatus that uses the improved process is also provided. For carbon dioxide impregnated tobacco, expansion occurs when the impregnated tobacco is subjected to conditions that cause rapid release of the impregnated gas. Rapid heating of propane impregnated tobacco is not required for the expansion of tobacco.

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First Claim