US4582070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tobacco treating process
Assignee: Brown and Williamson Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 1983-04-07
•
Granted: 1986-04-15
•
Expires: 2003-04-07
Abstract
Abstract An improved tobacco treating process for smoking articles including the steps of moistening and shredding tobacco stems at a preselected temperature range and drying such shredded stems under high humidity conditions controlled to obtain unexpectedly high fill values.
Inventors
- 👤 John N. Jewell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:35
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B5/00; A24B5/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of treating tobacco leaf stems to produce a product for use in smoking articles comprising the steps of: adjusting the moisture content of said tobacco leaf stems to a preselected percentage by weight; shredding said stems between spaced-apart disc-like fiberizing surfaces producing a particle size suitable for use in the smoking articles to be produced; and reducing the moisture content of said shredded stems by heating said stems in a gas having an initial temperature within the range of from about 250° F. to about 650° F. in the presence of an absolute humidity at a level above that which will provide a wet-bulb temperature reading of at least 150° F.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of treating tobacco leaf stems to produce a product for use in smoking articles comprising the steps of: adjusting the moisture content of said tobacco leaf stems to a preselected percentage by weight; shredding said stems between spaced-apart disc-like fiberizing surfaces producing a particle size suitable for use in the smoking articles to be produced; and reducing the moisture content of said shredded stems by heating said stems in a gas having an initial temperature within the range of from about 250° F. to about 650° F. in the presence of an absolute humidity at a level above that which will provide a wet-bulb temperature reading of at least 150° F.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said reading is about 180° F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the moisture content of said stems is adjusted to a preselected percentage by weight in the range of about 20% to about 80% (wet basis).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said initial temperature is about 500° F. and said reading is at least about 180° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gas is a mixture of air and water vapor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gas is superheated steam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said shredding is effected between disc-like fiberizing surfaces spaced apart at about 0.040 inches to about 0.30 inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said shredding is effected between disc-like fiberizing surfaces spaced apart at about 0.180 inches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tobacco leaf stems are adjusted to a preselected inlet temperature in the range of about 60° F. to about 212° F.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tobacco stems are dried to a moisture content of 5 to 25% by weight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said moisture content is about 14%.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of steaming the shredded stem prior to reducing the moisture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said steaming increases the moisture content of the shredded stem by at least 2% moisture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3690328A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-14 | 1989-10-14 | 1990-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-14 | 1993-10-14 | 1994-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-14 | 1997-10-14 | 1998-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |