US4607646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for modifying the smoke flavor characteristics of tobacco
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc
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Filing: 1984-02-06
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Granted: 1986-08-26
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Expires: 2004-02-06
Abstract
Abstract Burley tobacco when cured is sought after as a component of commercial cigarette blends. The inventors have found that, to avoid its less desirable features, one may replace Burley with cured bright tobacco which has been heated in the presence of ammonia at moderate temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 A. Clifton Lilly, Jr.
- 👤 Henry B. Merritt
- 👤 Cassandra D. Owens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:13
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B15/00; A24B15/18; A24B15/28; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S131/00; Y10S131/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for modifying the smoke flavor characteristics or non-burley tobacco to impart thereto burley-like smoke flavor characteristics, comprising the steps of: a. contacting the non-burley tobacco with ammonia in a pressure-controlled system to provide sufficient pressure to maintan the continuing presence of ammonia; and b. reacting said ammonia with natural sugars in said tobacco by heating said tobacco and ammonia to a temperature of between about 80° C. to about 150° C. to impart burley-like smoke flavor characteristics to said tobacco and retain therein substantially all volatile tobacco components.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for modifying the smoke flavor characteristics or non-burley tobacco to impart thereto burley-like smoke flavor characteristics, comprising the steps of: a. contacting the non-burley tobacco with ammonia in a pressure-controlled system to provide sufficient pressure to maintan the continuing presence of ammonia; and b. reacting said ammonia with natural sugars in said tobacco by heating said tobacco and ammonia to a temperature of between about 80° C. to about 150° C. to impart burley-like smoke flavor characteristics to said tobacco and retain therein substantially all volatile tobacco components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said pressure controlled system is a closed system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said volatile components are selected from the group consisting of water, nicotine and ammonia.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 3, characterized that said maintaining step allows the retention of at least 90% by weight of the nicotine content of said untreated tobacco.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said ammonia is in an aqueous solution comprising between 30 milliliters and 60 milliliters NH 4 OH in 30 milliliters water for every 300 grams of tobacco.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 5, characterized in that said solution comprises about 45 milliliters NH 2 OH in 30 milliliters water for every 300 grams of tobacco.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 characterized in that said ammonia is introduced as a gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the quantity of ammonia contacting said tobacco represents about 3% by weight of said tobacco.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said conditions comprise an effective duration of treatment in a range of about 30 minutes to about 24 hours.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said tobacco is bright tobacco.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-25 | 1990-02-24 | 1990-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-25 | 1994-02-24 | 1994-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-25 | 1998-02-24 | 1998-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |