US4150677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Treatment of tobacco
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc
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Filing: 1977-01-24
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Granted: 1979-04-24
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Expires: 1997-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A process is provided for the treatment of tobacco which comprises the steps of: (1) contacting tobacco which contains relatively high quantities of desirable flavorants, and which may also contain relatively high quantities of materials which may produce tar and nicotine in the tobacco smoke, for example, a flavorful bright tobacco, with a stream of non-reactive gas, under conditions whereby the tobacco is heated in a temperature range from about 140 DEG to about 180 DEG C., and preferably from about 160 DEG to about 170 DEG C., for a period of time sufficient to result in a weight loss of the tobacco of from about 3 to about 10% in excess of the weight loss represented by oven volatiles as defined herein, (2) condensing volatile constituents of the resulting gaseous stream, for example, by passing the gaseous stream in contact with a surface, maintained at a temperature of from about -78 DEG C. or lower to about 30 DEG C., for sufficient time to form a condensate; and (3) collecting said condensate. The condensate may be used subsequently to flavor a smoking material in order to enhance the organoleptic properties of its smoke.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Scott Osborne, Jr.
- 👤 Homer A. Hartung
- 👤 Joseph F. Bebbs, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:13
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B3/00; A24B3/12; A24B15/00; A24B15/18; A24B15/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
In a process for treating tobacco including the steps of (1) contacting tobacco that contains naturally occurring flavorants with a stream of nonreactive gas under conditions whereby the tobacco is heated to volatilize said flavorants, (2) condensing said flavorants of the resulting gaseous stream to form a condensate, and (3) recovering said condensate, the improvement which comprises heating the tobacco in a temperature range of about 140° to about 180° C. for a period of time sufficient to recover a selected set of the flavorants contained therein, said heating being effective to achieve a weight loss of the tobacco of from about 3 to about 10% in excess of the weight loss represented by oven volatiles.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a process for treating tobacco including the steps of (1) contacting tobacco that contains naturally occurring flavorants with a stream of nonreactive gas under conditions whereby the tobacco is heated to volatilize said flavorants, (2) condensing said flavorants of the resulting gaseous stream to form a condensate, and (3) recovering said condensate, the improvement which comprises heating the tobacco in a temperature range of about 140° to about 180° C. for a period of time sufficient to recover a selected set of the flavorants contained therein, said heating being effective to achieve a weight loss of the tobacco of from about 3 to about 10% in excess of the weight loss represented by oven volatiles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improved process of claim 1 wherein the tobacco is heated in a temperature range of about 160° to about 170° C. and for a time period of about 3 to about 10 minutes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A smoking material comprising the residue left from the treatment of Oriental tobacco by the process of claim 1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a process for preparing low-tar tobacco-based filler material of enhanced organoleptic properties, including the steps of (1) contacting a high-tar, high flavorant tobacco with a nonreactive gas under conditions whereby the tobacco is heated to volatilize flavorants contained therein, (2) condensing said flavorants of the resulting gaseous stream to form a condensate, (3) recovering the condensate, and (4) combining the condensate with a low-tar tobacco-based filler material in an amount sufficient to achieve enhanced flavor in its smoke, the improvement which comprises heating the tobacco in a temperature range of about 140° to about 180° C. for a period of time sufficient to recover a selected set of said flavorants, said heating being effective to achieve a weight loss of the tobacco of from about 3 to about 10% in excess of the weight loss represented by oven volatiles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
140 words
In a process for preparing low-tar tobacco-based filler material of enhanced organoleptic properties, including the steps of (1) contacting a high-tar, high flavorant tobacco with a nonreactive gas under conditions whereby the tobacco is heated to volatilize flavorants contained therein, (2) condensing said flavorants of the resulting gaseous stream to form a condensate, (3) recovering the condensate, and (4) combining the condensate with a low-tar tobacco-based filler material in an amount sufficient to achieve enhanced flavor in its smoke, the improvement which comprises heating the tobacco in a temperature range of about 140° to about 180° C. for a period of time sufficient to recover a selected set of said flavorants, said heating being effective to achieve a weight loss of the tobacco of from about 3 to about 10% in excess of the weight loss represented by oven volatiles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cigarette containing low tar tobacco-based filler material prepared according to the process of claim 4.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improved process of claim 4 wherein the tobacco is heated in a temperature range of about 160° to 170° C. and for a time period of about 3 to about 10 minutes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3174485A
Cited
US3424171A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-23 | 1982-10-23 | 1983-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-23 | 1986-10-23 | 1987-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-23 | 1990-10-23 | 1991-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |