US3881498A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for increasing the volume of moist tobacco
Assignee: Körber AG
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Filing: 1972-01-26
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1992-01-26
Abstract
Abstract Particles of a tobacco stream are first expanded by passing across a high-frequency field wherein they are exposed to the action of electromagnetic waves which effect a vaporization of moisture in the capillaries with attendant increase in volume. The thus expanded particles of the tobacco are thereupon conveyed through a drying zone wherein the particles are externally heated by hot air for a short period of time to thus effect rapid drying of strata immediately adjacent to external surfaces of the particles and to thereby stabilize the particles against shrinkage. In the last step, the tobacco stream is forcibly cooled with air to effect a condensation of vaporized moisture in the capillaries. The expansion of tobacco can be enhanced if the tobacco stream is caused to pass through a bath containing freon or another organic fluid having a boiling point lower than water before the tobacco stream is conveyed across the high frequency field.
Inventors
- 👤 Waldemar Wochnowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:55
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B3/00; A24B3/18; A24B3/182; A24B3/187
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for increasing the volume of tobacco which comprises means for conveying moistened tobacco thru a heating unit wherein the moistened tobacco is subjected to the action of a high frequency field element and the moisture in the tobacco capillaries is vaporized with attendant expansion of the tobacco, means for conveying the expanded tobacco through a drying unit wherein the tobacco is subjected to a short-lasting external heating action sufficient to effect rapid drying of the tobacco adjacent the external surfaces of the tobacco and means for conveying the thus heated tobacco to a cooling unit said unit being provided with means to produce a forcible cooling action on the tobacco sufficient to effect condensation of the vaporized moisture already present in the capillaries of the tobacco without significantly affecting the surface thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
Apparatus for increasing the volume of tobacco which comprises means for conveying moistened tobacco thru a heating unit wherein the moistened tobacco is subjected to the action of a high frequency field element and the moisture in the tobacco capillaries is vaporized with attendant expansion of the tobacco, means for conveying the expanded tobacco through a drying unit wherein the tobacco is subjected to a short-lasting external heating action sufficient to effect rapid drying of the tobacco adjacent the external surfaces of the tobacco and means for conveying the thus heated tobacco to a cooling unit said unit being provided with means to produce a forcible cooling action on the tobacco sufficient to effect condensation of the vaporized moisture already present in the capillaries of the tobacco without significantly affecting the surface thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for subjecting moist tobacco to the action of a high-frequency field element comprises a device for generating high-frequency electromagnetic waves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the conveying means for moving the tobacco through the drying and cooling units comprises vibratory conveyor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for subjecting tobacco to said short-lasting heating action comprises at least One chamber through which the tobacco is moved by said vibratory conveyor means, and means for circulating through said chamber currents of a hot gaseous fluid in intimate contact with tobacco in said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said vibratory conveyor comprises a trough having a foraminous tobacco supporting bottom wall and said air currents are caused to pass upwardly through said bottom wall, the width of said trough increasing in the direction of flow of said currents in said trough to thus reduce the speed of such currents.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said circulating means is arranged to circulate said gaseous fluid transversely of and through tobacco on said bottom wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said drying unit comprises means for circulating a current of a hot gaseous fluid along a predetermined path and the tobacco which is expanded in said heating unit is thereupon transported through said drying unit and is surface-heated by such gaseous fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, further comprising means for introducing expanded tobacco into said path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said cooling unit comprises means for circulating a current of a gaseous coolant along a second predetermined path and the tobacco which is surface-dried in said first path is transported and cooled by gaseous fluid in said second path, and further comprising means for introducing surface-dried tobacco from said first path into said second path.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said drying unit comprises a series of chambers and means for circulating through said chambers a hot gaseous fluid so that the fluid passes through successive chambers of said series, and further comprising transporting means for moving expanded tobacco through successive chambers of said series.
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) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |