Patent US3765425A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3765425A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Puffing of tobacco
Assignee: Brown and Williamson Holdings Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-02
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1991-09-02
Abstract
Abstract Tobacco stems and lamina are puffed by microwave energy, employing intermeshed, slotted wave guides the wave pattern in the device is applied in successive means so that the microwave energy in one means is out of phase with its adjacent means. The tobacco may have a given moisture level, a microwave energy absorbing organic fluid impregnant, or a mixture of the two at the time of treatment.
Inventors
- 👤 G Stungis
- 👤 R Striegel
- 👤 S Merker
- 👤 H Parish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:49
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B3/00; A24B3/18; A24B3/182; A24B3/187
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for expanding cut stem or lamina tobacco comprising: a. treating said cut stem or lamina tobacco with a material capable of absorbing microwave energy including bringing the moistuRe content of the cut stem tobacco to at least 30 percent; b. providing at lease one source of microwave energy; c. providing a plurality of means for applying said microwave energy; d. continuously conveying said treated cut stem or lamina tobacco in a random orientation in juxtaposition to said means for applying said microwave energy, wherein the wave pattern in successive means for applying said microwave energy is out of phase with respect to adjacent means substantially from one end of said applying means to the other end thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for expanding cut stem or lamina tobacco comprising: a. treating said cut stem or lamina tobacco with a material capable of absorbing microwave energy including bringing the moistuRe content of the cut stem tobacco to at least 30 percent; b. providing at lease one source of microwave energy; c. providing a plurality of means for applying said microwave energy; d. continuously conveying said treated cut stem or lamina tobacco in a random orientation in juxtaposition to said means for applying said microwave energy, wherein the wave pattern in successive means for applying said microwave energy is out of phase with respect to adjacent means substantially from one end of said applying means to the other end thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the material capable of absorbing microwave energy is water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said material capable of absorbing microwave energy is an inert volatile liquid organic compound capable of being removed by vaporization.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the material capable of absorbing microwave energy is a mixture of water and an inert volatile liquid organic liquid compound capable of being removed by vaporization.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the means for applying microwave energy is a slotted wave guide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least two sources of microwave energy are provided, each of said sources powering a plurality of means for applying said microwave energy, said means powered by said first set being intermeshed with said means powered by said second set, the terminal of said second power source being provided with a phase shifter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |