Patent ID: 6082369
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: A24B

Abstract:
A process for treating tobacco comprising a series of steps:(1) subjecting in a chamber the tobacco to a reduced pressure of not greater than 70 mbar (7 kPa);(2) impregnating the cell structure of the tobacco with isopentane vapour at a temperature in the range of from 70.degree. C. to 90.degree. C. and maintaining the tobacco in contact with isopentane vapour at a pressure of at least 4 bar (400 kPa) for up to 30 minutes to cause impregnation of the tobacco;(3) removing excess isopentane vapour from the impregnated tobacco by evacuating the chamber, the pressure change being effected adiabatically;(4) contacting the impregnated tobacco with steam to expand the tobacco to produce expanded tobacco; and(5) subjecting the expanded tobacco to a re-ordering process.