US4460000A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vacuum and gas expansion of tobacco
Assignee: Airco Inc
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Filing: 1982-06-14
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Granted: 1984-07-17
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Expires: 2002-06-14
Abstract
Abstract Tobacco is expanded by cooling the same to a temperature of about 30° F. or less and subjecting such cooled tobacco to a subatmospheric pressure in a vessel. CO 2 gas is then introduced into the vessel and contacts the cooled tobacco to impregnate the tobacco with CO 2 gas as pressure in the vessel is brought to substantially atmospheric pressure. Subsequently, the cooled CO 2 impregnated tobacco is subjected to conditions whereby the CO 2 in the tobacco is removed and the tobacco is expanded. Typically, the CO 2 impregnated tobacco is introduced into an expansion tower wherein it is heated to increase the volume of the CO 2 and to expand the tobacco in size.
Inventors
- 👤 Ira H. Steinberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:27
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B3/00; A24B3/18; A24B3/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for expanding tobacco comprising the steps of: cooling said tobacco to a temperature of approximately 30° F. or less; subjecting said cooled tobacco to a vacuum pressure of 25 mm Hg or less in a vessel; introducing CO 2 gas into said vessel to increase pressure therein to approximately, but not substantially greater than, atmospheric pressure such that said cooled tobacco is impregnated with said CO 2 gas; and subjecting said cooled, CO 2 impregnated tobacco to conditions such that said CO 2 impregnated in said tobacco is removed therefrom and said tobacco is expanded.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for expanding tobacco comprising the steps of: cooling said tobacco to a temperature of approximately 30° F. or less; subjecting said cooled tobacco to a vacuum pressure of 25 mm Hg or less in a vessel; introducing CO 2 gas into said vessel to increase pressure therein to approximately, but not substantially greater than, atmospheric pressure such that said cooled tobacco is impregnated with said CO 2 gas; and subjecting said cooled, CO 2 impregnated tobacco to conditions such that said CO 2 impregnated in said tobacco is removed therefrom and said tobacco is expanded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the step of cooling said tobacco comprises reducing the temperature thereof while said tobacco is being subjected to said subatmospheric conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the step of cooling said tobacco comprises reducing the temperature thereof prior to subjecting said tobacco to said subatmospheric pressure conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the step of cooling said tobacco comprises cooling said tobacco to a temperature of about 0 to -110° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method defined in claim 1 additionally comprising the step of cooling said CO 2 gas to a temperature below ambient temperature prior to introducing said gas into said vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the step of introducing CO 2 gas into said vessel to impregnate said cooled tobacco comprises retaining in said cooled tobacco an amount of CO 2 resulting in an increase of approximately 0.5-3.0% of the weight of said tobacco.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the step of subjecting said cooled tobacco to subatmospheric pressure conditions comprises maintaining said vacuum for a period of time between approximately 1.0-30 minutes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the step of subjecting CO 2 impregnated tobacco to conditions to remove said CO 2 and expand said tobacco comprises contacting said impregnated tobacco with a stream of gases having a temperature between about 300-700° F. to thereby expand said tobacco.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the step of subjecting CO 2 impregnated tobacco to conditions to separate said CO 2 and expand said tobacco comprises contacting said impregnated tobacco with steam having a temperature between about 300° F.-700° F. to thereby expand said tobacco.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the moisture content of the tobacco upon introduction into said vessel is between approximately 10-30%.
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) | 1987-07-17 | 1988-01-16 | 1988-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-17 | 1992-01-16 | 1992-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-17 | 1996-01-16 | 1996-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |