GB1324584A - Tobacco treatment process - Google Patents

Abstract

1324584 Puffing tobacco REYNOLDS LEASING CORP 6 March 1972 10330/72 Heading A2C Tobacco is impregnated with the vapour of an organic compound in the absence of the liquid or solid phase thereof, the compound being chemically inert to the tobacco and having an atmospheric pressure boiling point between -50‹ and +80‹C. and the tobacco during the impregnation is maintained at a temperature above the boiling point of the compound at the pressure prevailing during the impregnation, and thereafter, while maintaining the impregnated tobacco at a temperature above the boiling point of the compound at the prevailing pressure, the tobacco is subjected to conditions serving to release and/or expand the vapour in or on the tobacco so as to expand it. Many suitable organic compounds are specified, those exemplified being carbon tetrachloride, pentane, trichloromonofluoromethane and dichlorodifluoromethane; impregnation with the latter being effectd under pressure. The tobacco may be subjected to reduced pressure immediately prior to exposure to the vapour. Expansion may be effected by rapid heating of the impregnated tobacco, e.g. by steaming or by exposure to a hot air stream, or hte ambient pressure to which the impregnated tobacco is subjected may be rapidly reduced, e.g. by reduction of the pressure below atmospheric or, if the pressure is above atmospheric, venting to atmosphere. In one of the examples the process is carried out continuously.