| (19) |
 |
|
(11) |
EP 0 404 473 A3 |
| (12) |
EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
| (88) |
Date of publication A3: |
|
15.05.1991 Bulletin 1991/20 |
| (43) |
Date of publication A2: |
|
27.12.1990 Bulletin 1990/52 |
| (22) |
Date of filing: 18.06.1990 |
|
| (51) |
International Patent Classification (IPC)5: A24B 3/18 |
|
| (84) |
Designated Contracting States: |
|
AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
| (30) |
Priority: |
19.06.1989 US 367589
29.12.1989 US 459007
|
| (71) |
Applicant: R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY |
|
Winston-Salem
North Carolina 27102 (US) |
|
| (72) |
Inventor: |
|
- Kramer, Anatoly Ilich
Winston-Salem,
North Carolina 27106 (US)
|
| (74) |
Representative: Skailes, Humphrey John et al |
|
Frank B. Dehn & Co.
Imperial House
15-19 Kingsway
London WC2B 6UZ
London WC2B 6UZ (GB) |
|
| |
|
| (54) |
Tobacco expansion process |
(57) The invention is directed to a process for expanding tobacco wherein tobacco is impregnated
with sulfur hexafluoride and thereafter heated in an expansion zone to liberate the
sulfur hexafluoride and cause expansion of the tobacco. The process of the invention
can provide substantial expansion of tobacco cut filler lamina without substantial
generation of tobacco fines and employing substantially mild pressures of, for example,
less than about 2,000 psi and with minimal effect on tobacco taste.