US 5,669,397 A · Tobacco expansion processes and apparatus

Abstract

This invention provides tobacco expansion processes and apparatus that can be employed for expanding tobacco at rapid throughput rates employing high pressure tobacco impregnation conditions. The processes and apparatus of the invention are particularly useful in tobacco expansion processes employing cycle times of less than 20-30 seconds; the use of preheated, prepressurized expansion agent such as propane; preheating of tobacco batches; and/or compression of tobacco within a high pressure impregnation zone for greatly improving use of available space in a high pressure impregnation vessel.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An apparatus for the dispensing of tobacco to an impregnation zone, comprising:

a conduit;
means mounted for reciprocating movement in the conduit between a retracted position and an extended position and being adapted for moving tobacco through the conduit and compressing the tobacco into a treating zone at a downstream end of the conduit when in the extended position;
an opening in an upper wall of the conduit for introducing tobacco into the conduit at a location between the locations corresponding to said retracted position and said extended position;
and
a pivotable closure member capable of closing said opening and being capable of compressing the tobacco into the conduit.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tobacco expansion processes and apparatus

Life of this patent

Tobacco expansion processes and apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19