US4343318A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of endothermic fermentation of tobacco
Assignee: Linde Gas AG
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Filing: 1980-07-03
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Granted: 1982-08-10
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Expires: 2000-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A method of fermenting and aging tobacco under endothermic conditions in which the tobacco is fermented in an atmosphere containing more than 25% by volume oxygen and preferably in either pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched air. The tobacco product is thereby fermented more rapidly than with earlier endothermic techniques, with reduction in the nicotine content, less condensate, and reduced pesticide content.
Inventors
- 👤 Wenzel Brenik
- 👤 Heinz Rudhard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:46
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B15/00; A24B15/18; A24B15/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of fermenting tobacco, comprising the steps of: storing tobacco in a closed chamber; maintaining an atmosphere in said chamber which has a concentration of greater than 25% oxygen; and fermenting the tobacco in said chamber endothermically in said atmosphere.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
41 words
A method of fermenting tobacco, comprising the steps of: storing tobacco in a closed chamber; maintaining an atmosphere in said chamber which has a concentration of greater than 25% oxygen; and fermenting the tobacco in said chamber endothermically in said atmosphere.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of fermenting tobacco, comprising the steps of: storing tobacco in a closed chamber; maintaining an atmosphere in said chamber which has a concentration of greater than 25% oxygen; fermenting the tobacco in said chamber endothermically in said atmosphere; and feeding a gas containing oxygen into said chamber to replace oxygen consumed from said atmosphere and discharging an equivalent volume of gas from said chamber.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of fermenting tobacco, comprising the steps of: storing tobacco in a closed chamber; maintaining an atmosphere in said chamber which has a concentration of greater than 25% oxygen; fermenting the tobacco in said chamber endothermically in said atmosphere; and feeding a gas containing oxygen into said chamber to replace oxygen consumed from said atmosphere and discharging an equivalent volume of gas from said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method defined in claim 2, further comprising the steps of: measuring the oxygen concentration in the gas discharged from said chamber; and controlling the oxygen introduced into said chamber in response to the measured concentration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method defined in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein an oxygen-rich gas is introduced into said chamber at a plurality of spaced-apart locations.
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) | 1985-08-09 | 1986-02-08 | 1986-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-09 | 1990-02-08 | 1990-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-09 | 1994-02-08 | 1994-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |