US3995646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tobacco processing method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-20
•
Granted: 1976-12-07
•
Expires: 1995-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A method for processing tobacco to remove harmful agents in the tobacco and to restore the tobacco with the harmful agents removed to a condition suitable for use in a cigarette. The method first comprises the steps of placing the tobacco in a heated liquid for a preselected time period and subsequently drying the tobacco to remove harmful agents from the tobacco. The dried tobacco is then rehydrated to restore the tobacco to a condition suitable for use in a cigarette by subjecting the dried tobacco to an atmosphere containing water vapor at a reduced temperature for a preselected period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert W. DeBrunn
- 👤 Gregory R. Feist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:49
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B15/00; A24B15/18; A24B15/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for processing tobacco for removing selected agents in said tobacco which are believed to be harmful and for restoring the tobacco to a condition suitable for use in a cigarette, said method comprising the steps of placing the tobacco in a boiling liquid for a preselected time period sufficient to obtain a significant extraction of said tobacco agents; subsequently drying the tobacco to a point at which is friable and generally unsuitable for normal cigarette usage; and subjecting the dried tobacco to an atmosphere generally at ambient temperature and containing water vapor and reducing the temperature of said atmosphere to far less than ambient for a preselected period of time to restore the friable tobacco to a condition suitable for use in a cigarette.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for processing tobacco for removing selected agents in said tobacco which are believed to be harmful and for restoring the tobacco to a condition suitable for use in a cigarette, said method comprising the steps of placing the tobacco in a boiling liquid for a preselected time period sufficient to obtain a significant extraction of said tobacco agents; subsequently drying the tobacco to a point at which is friable and generally unsuitable for normal cigarette usage; and subjecting the dried tobacco to an atmosphere generally at ambient temperature and containing water vapor and reducing the temperature of said atmosphere to far less than ambient for a preselected period of time to restore the friable tobacco to a condition suitable for use in a cigarette.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the temperature of said atmosphere is reduced to a temperature no greater than approximately -50° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the liquid is water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the tobacco is placed in the boiling liquid for approximately 15 minutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said atmosphere is defined by a sealed container, the dried tobacco being placed in said sealed container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the sealed container containing the tobacco is placed in a dry ice/acetone bath to reduce the temperature of said atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 6 wherein the container is subjected to a temperature no greater than approximately -50° F. for approximately 7 hours.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A tobacco product made in accordance with the method of claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US273362A
Cited
US1016844A
Cited
US3338248A
Cited
US3369552A
Cited
US3372703A
Cited
US3599645A
Cited
US3742962A
Cited
US3683937A
Cited
US3874392A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-07 | 1980-06-07 | 1980-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-07 | 1984-06-07 | 1984-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-07 | 1988-06-07 | 1988-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |