Process for the manufacture tobacco rods containing expanded tobacco material

US4962773A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Jackie L. White · Mill Brook, US
• Robert Eugene Grubbs · Winston-Salem, US
• Hoyt S. Beard · Winston-Salem, US
• Mark L. Raker · Winston-Salem, US
• Thomas A. Perfetti · Winston-Salem, US
• Richard Haberkern · King, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 13, 1987
• Grant date: Oct 16, 1990
• Expiry date: Aug 13, 2007

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S131/901
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

Cigarette rods and filter rods are provided by manufacturing rods from tobacco cut filler and a circumscribing paper wrap, and then subjecting the rods to conditions such that the cut filler undergoes volume expansion while within the paper wrap. For example, the tobacco rods can be exposed to propane under supercritical conditions within a pressure chamber followed by a venting of the gaseous fluid to expand the tobacco cut filler. The resulting rods are very firm, have good integrity, and frequently do not undergo any noticeable visible change. The resulting rods which contain the volume expanded tobacco can be used as smokable rods for cigarettes or as cigarette filters.