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US4366825A
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Expansion of tobacco
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc
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Filing: 1979-11-21
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Granted: 1983-01-04
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Expires: 1999-11-21
Abstract
Abstract Impregnated tobacco is expanded in an expansion operation involving the entrainment of the impregnated tobacco in a heated gas stream under high temperature-short entrainment time conditions resulting in a product of improved quality and enhanced expansion.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis V. Utsch
- 👤 Henry B. Merritt
- 👤 Larry M. Sykes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 05:41
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B3/00; A24B3/18; A24B3/182; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S131/00; Y10S131/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
In a method for heating a carbon dioxide expansion agent impregnated tobacco to expand same, the steps of: entraining the impregnated tobacco in a stream of steam-containing air flowing in a generally upwardly vertically directed flow course and heated to a temperature in a range of at least about 525° F. to about 650° F. for a period of between 0.2 and 2 seconds to rapidly volatilize the expansion agent from the tobacco and thereby expand the tobacco; and then delivering the stream and entrained expanded tobacco along a horizontal flow course for entry to a tangential separation operation to separate therein the tobacco from the stream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a method for heating a carbon dioxide expansion agent impregnated tobacco to expand same, the steps of: entraining the impregnated tobacco in a stream of steam-containing air flowing in a generally upwardly vertically directed flow course and heated to a temperature in a range of at least about 525° F. to about 650° F. for a period of between 0.2 and 2 seconds to rapidly volatilize the expansion agent from the tobacco and thereby expand the tobacco; and then delivering the stream and entrained expanded tobacco along a horizontal flow course for entry to a tangential separation operation to separate therein the tobacco from the stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 in which the gas stream is heated to a temperature of about 600° F.
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) | 1986-01-03 | 1986-07-05 | 1987-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-03 | 1990-07-05 | 1991-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-03 | 1994-07-05 | 1995-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |