Extruded tobacco materials
AssigneeR. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
InventorsHoward C. Toft, Kenneth W. Smith, Carolyn R. Carpenter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Extruded tobacco has its chemical composition changed during the extrusion process. Divided tobacco and ammonia are introduced into an extruder. The combination of temperatures and pressures within the extruder provides for liberation of nicotine from the tobacco. The ammonia and liberated nicotine are removed from the extruder. In addition, the ammonia and sugars within the tobacco can react to further modify the chemical composition of the tobacco. Extrudate is collected separately from the liberated materials. In such a manner, tobacco can be reformed into an extruded shape while having its chemical composition altered.
Claims31
A process for providing smokable extrudate, the process comprising:
- (a) providing filler material, at least a portion of which is tobacco material;
- (b) providing an agent capable of displacing selected component(s) from the tobacco material;
- (c) subjecting the filler material and the aforementioned agent to extrusion conditions using extrusion means, the extrusion conditions being sufficient to provide for displacement of selected component(s) from the tobacco material;
- and
- (d) separately (i) removing from the extrusion means, during extrusion, component(s) displaced from the tobacco material, and (ii) providing extrudate.
A process for providing smokable extrudate, the process comprising:
- (a) providing filler material, at least a portion of which is tobacco material;
- (b) providing an agent capable of modifying the chemical composition of the tobacco material;
- (c) subjecting the filler material and the aforementioned agent to extrusion conditions using extrusion means, the extrusion conditions being sufficient to provide for modification of the chemical composition of the tobacco material;
- and
- (d) separately (i) removing from the extrusion means, during extrusion, residual agent, and (ii) providing extrudate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.