Patent US3995646A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3995646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tobacco processing method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-20
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Granted: 1976-12-07
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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 15:58
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
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US3338248A
Cited
US3369552A
Cited
US3372703A
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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 |