METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING EXPANDED TOBACCO FROM WHOLE TOBACCO STEMS

摘要

PATENT APPLICATION of JOHN D. PSARAS and LEROY R. SACHLEBEN for MET~IOD AND APPARATJS FOR P~ UCING ~XPANDED TOBACCO FROM WEIOLE TOBACCO STEMS Whole tobacco stems are converted to expanded tobacco particles by opening the cellular structure of the stems and moisturizing the stems ~y the simultaneous application oE water and steamO The stems, at a first induced moisture content of from 20 to 40~ are then subjected to an equilibration step where the moi.sture content of the stem is uniformly distributed wi-thin the stems. The equilibrated stems are thereafter moisturized to a second induced moisture content by first an ~application of water and thexeafter the simultaneous application of water and steam. At the second induced moisture content of from 30 to 60% the stems are cut into a plurality of par-ticles ~that are~thereafter expanded and dried to a final moisture content of from 13 to 25%.