US4459100A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for expansion of tobacco
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc
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Filing: 1981-10-27
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Granted: 1984-07-10
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Expires: 2001-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A process is provided for expanding tobacco by means of overwetting the tobacco to a moisture content of at least 20%, preferably from 20% to about 80%, and then overdrying the tobacco in a period of a few seconds in a turbulent steam atmosphere to a moisture content of less than 7% to achieve increased filling power. The overwetted tobacco is preferably dried to a moisture content of less than 7% within a time period of less than 5 seconds. It is preferred that the tobacco be dried to a moisture content of less than 5%, and even more preferred that it be dried to a moisture content of less than 3%. The turbulent steam drying atmosphere preferably comprises at least about 60% steam. Typically, the tobacco is bulked for from about 1/4 hour to 4 hours after it is overwetted to allow the moisture to be distributed within and absorbed by the tobacco cellular structure of substantial portions of the tobacco. Subsequent to overdrying, the tobacco is typically remoisturized to a processing moisture content of about 12%.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Z. de la Burde
- 👤 Francis V. Utsch
- 👤 Patrick E. Aument
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:02
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B3/00; A24B3/18; A24B3/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A process for the expansion of tobacco comprising: moisturizing the tobacco with water to a moisture content within the range of from about 30% to about 80%; bulking the moisturized tobacco at substantially ambient conditions to allow the moisture to penetrate the cellular structure of the tobacco; and rapidly drying the moisturized tobacco within 5 seconds in a turbulent steam atmosphere at a temperature of at least about 280° C. to a moisture content of less than about 5%.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process for the expansion of tobacco comprising: moisturizing the tobacco with water to a moisture content within the range of from about 30% to about 80%; bulking the moisturized tobacco at substantially ambient conditions to allow the moisture to penetrate the cellular structure of the tobacco; and rapidly drying the moisturized tobacco within 5 seconds in a turbulent steam atmosphere at a temperature of at least about 280° C. to a moisture content of less than about 5%.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the temperature is from about 288° C. to about 316° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the temperature is at least about 316° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 2 or 3 wherein the tobacco is dried to a moisture content of less than 3%.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the turbulent steam atmosphere comprises at least about 60% steam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process for the expansion of tobacco comprising: moisturizing the tobacco with water to a moisture content within the range of from about 30% to about 80%; bulking the moisturized tobacco at substantially ambient conditions for from about 1/4 hour to about 4 hours to allow the moisture to penetrate the cellular structure of the tobacco; rapidly drying the moisturized tobacco within 5 seconds to a moisture content of less than 5% in a turbulent steam atmosphere at a temperature of at least about 288° C.; and reordering the dried tobacco to a moisture content within the range of from about 12% to about 21%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process for the expansion of tobacco comprising: moisturizing the tobacco with water to a moisture content within the range of from about 30% to about 80%; bulking the moisturized tobacco at substantially ambient conditions for from about 1/4 hour to about 4 hours to allow the moisture to penetrate the cellular structure of the tobacco; rapidly drying the moisturized tobacco within 5 seconds to a moisture content of less than 5% in a turbulent steam atmosphere at a temperature of at least about 288° C.; and reordering the dried tobacco to a moisture content within the range of from about 12% to about 21%.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the turbulent steam atmosphere comprises at least about 60% steam and the temperature is at least about 316° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the turbulent steam atmosphere comprises at least about 80% steam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 7 or 8 wherein the tobacco is dried to a moisture content of less than 3%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for the expansion of tobacco comprising: moisturizing the tobacco with water to a moisture content of from about 30% to about 40%; bulking the moisturized tobacco at substantially ambient conditions to allow the moisture to penetrate the cellular structure of the tobacco; and rapidly drying the moisturized tobacco within 5 seconds to a moisture content of less than 3% in a turbulent steam atmosphere comprising at least about 60% steam at a temperature in the range of from about 316° C. to about 370° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for the expansion of tobacco comprising: moisturizing the tobacco with water to a moisture content of from about 30% to about 40%; bulking the moisturized tobacco at substantially ambient conditions to allow the moisture to penetrate the cellular structure of the tobacco; and rapidly drying the moisturized tobacco within 5 seconds to a moisture content of less than 3% in a turbulent steam atmosphere comprising at least about 60% steam at a temperature in the range of from about 316° C. to about 370° C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4366825A
Cited
WO1983000989A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-10 | 1988-01-09 | 1988-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-10 | 1992-01-09 | 1992-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-10 | 1996-01-09 | 1996-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |