US3771533A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for puffing tobacco
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc
•
Filing: 1970-08-31
•
Granted: 1973-11-13
•
Expires: 1990-08-31
Abstract
Abstract Tobacco having at least 6 percent moisture is impregnated with ammonia and carbon dioxide to introduce into the tobacco preferably from about 3 percent to about 6 percent by weight of ammonia and from about 2 percent to about 8 percent of carbon dioxide based on the weight of the tobacco. The tobacco is thereafter heated at a temperature of from 250* F to about 700*F for a time sufficient to puff the tobacco.
Inventors
- 👤 R Armstrong
- 👤 E Deszyck
- 👤 J Madures
- 👤 R Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:01
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B3/00; A24B3/18; A24B3/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the ammonia is separately added to the tobacco and the carbon dioxide is thereafter separately added to the tobacco, both additions being prior to the heating step.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1, wherein carbon dioxide is separately added to the tobacco and the ammonia is thereafter separately added to the tobacco, both additions being prior to the heating step.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the ammonia and carbon dioxide are added simultaneously to the tobacco prior to the heating step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said heating is effected by means of a member selected from the group consisting of steam, hot air and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 5, wherein said heating is conducted at a temperature of from about 375* to about 650*F. for a period of time of from about 0.1 second to about four minutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
The process of puffing tobacco comprising the steps of contacting tobacco containing at least about 6 percent moisture in an impregnation zone with from about 1 to 12 percent by weight of ammonia at a low pressure below atmospheric to absorb ammonia into the tobacco, then contacting the tobacco with carbon dioxide at a pressure below atmospheric to absorb carbon dioxide into the tobacco, the temperature of contact being significantly below 100, and then puffing the impregnated tobacco by heating to a temperature in the range of 250* -700*F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 7, wherein the ammonia impregnation is carried out with liquid ammonia.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 7, wherein the moisture content of the tobacco prior to ammoniacal treating is in the range of about 5 to about 20 percent by weight.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US1719291A
Cited
US1789435A
Cited
US1996797A
Cited
US1927984A
Cited
US2085052A
Cited
US2461942A
Cited
US3006805A
Cited
US3524451A
Cited
US3575178A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-12 | 1977-05-14 | 1977-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-12 | 1981-05-14 | 1981-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-12 | 1985-05-14 | 1985-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |