US 5,259,403 A · Process and apparatus for expanding tobacco cut filler

Abstract

Tobacco cut filler is volume expanded using the DIET process and equipment. During depressurization of a pressure vessel containing a mixture of cut filler impregnated with liquid carbon dioxide, gaseous carbon dioxide is bubbled through the mixture to provide a mixture of decreased density and decreased integrity. Liquid water is introduced into the sublimator region of the equipment in order to act as a heat sink, causing tobacco cut filler in that region and related equipment components to not experience overly high exposure to heat. A vertically extending duct in the sublimator region has a relatively large inner diameter so as to allow adequate residence time of the tobacco cut filler in the expansion region. A spray of water applied to the expanded tobacco cut filler and atmosphere in the post expansion region of the DIET equipment moistens the cut filler and reduces the temperature experienced thereby.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A process for expanding tobacco material, the process comprising the steps of:

(a) contacting tobacco material with a liquid fluid and a first gaseous fluid in a pressure vessel under controlled pressure conditions to provide a pressurized mixture;
(b) decreasing pressure of the pressurized mixture so as to convert the liquid fluid to a solid state thereby providing a frozen mass of tobacco material and solidified fluid;
(c) contacting the mixture with a second gaseous fluid at least during the period that the liquid fluid is converted to a solid state by introducing the second fluid into the pressure vessel during that period;
(d) subdividing the frozen mass to pieces;
and
(e) contacting the pieces of frozen mass with a gas at a temperature sufficiently high to cause sublimation of the solidified fluid and volume expansion of the tobacco material.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Process and apparatus for expanding tobacco cut filler

Life of this patent

Process and apparatus for expanding tobacco cut filler

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21