US4040431A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of increasing the filling capacity of shredded tobacco tissue
Assignee: Brown and Williamson Holdings Inc
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Filing: 1975-09-05
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Granted: 1977-08-09
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Expires: 1995-09-05
Abstract
Abstract The filling capacity of shredded tobacco tissue is increased by being first conditioned by treating the tobacco to raise its temperature to at least about 130° F. and its moisture content above about 15% and then hot-gas drying the tobacco in the form of a thin laminar dispersion, about 1 inch thick, in the gas at a temperature such that the moisture content of the tobacco will be lowered within about 5 seconds to the optimum moisture content to maintain improved filling capacity in the tobacco end products made from such material.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Ashworth
- 👤 Eugene Glock
- 👤 James G. Kelly
- 👤 James L. McLaughlin
- 👤 Owen T. Merwin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:50
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B3/00; A24B3/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
The process of increasing the filling capacity of shredded tobacco comprising the steps of first conditioning the tobacco so that its temperature is at least about 130° F. to 250° F. and its moisture content from about 15% to 35% promptly followed by drying the thus conditioned tobacco with a hot gas while the tobacco is in the form of a substantially thin laminar dispersion in the gas at a temperature such that the moisture content of the tobacco will be lowered within about 5 seconds to a moisture content of about 11% to 16%.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
The process of increasing the filling capacity of shredded tobacco comprising the steps of first conditioning the tobacco so that its temperature is at least about 130° F. to 250° F. and its moisture content from about 15% to 35% promptly followed by drying the thus conditioned tobacco with a hot gas while the tobacco is in the form of a substantially thin laminar dispersion in the gas at a temperature such that the moisture content of the tobacco will be lowered within about 5 seconds to a moisture content of about 11% to 16%.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the conditioning temperature is about 190° F. and the moisture content above about 20%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the drying temperature is from about 300° to 600° F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the hot, gas drying time is no more than about 2 seconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
The process of increasing the filling capacity of shredded total blend tobacco comprising the steps of first conditioning the blend by raising its temperature to about 180° F. to 200° F. and its moisture content to above about 22 to 26% promptly followed by drying the thus conditioned tobacco at a temperature of 300° F. to 600° F. to a moisture content of about 11 to 16% in a period of less than 5 seconds with a hot gas while the blend is in the form of a substantially thin laminar dispersion about 1 inch thick in the gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
The process of increasing the filling capacity of shredded total blend tobacco comprising the steps of first conditioning the blend by raising its temperature to about 180° F. to 200° F. and its moisture content to above about 22 to 26% promptly followed by drying the thus conditioned tobacco at a temperature of 300° F. to 600° F. to a moisture content of about 11 to 16% in a period of less than 5 seconds with a hot gas while the blend is in the form of a substantially thin laminar dispersion about 1 inch thick in the gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 5 including the step of disrupting the laminar flow near the end of the drying to form a highly turbulent flow prior to separating the tobacco from the drying gas.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3734104A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-08 | 1981-02-07 | 1981-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-08 | 1985-02-07 | 1985-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-08 | 1989-02-07 | 1989-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |