Method and apparatus for conditioning tobacco

US4004594A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. K.G. · DE

Inventors

• Waldemar Wochnowski · Hamburg, DE
• Willi Thiele · Geesthacht, DE
• Reinhard Hohm · Pinneberg, DE
• Herbert Schmidt · Friedberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 19, 1974
• Grant date: Jan 25, 1977
• Expiry date: Dec 19, 1994

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A24B3/12
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

Tobacco particles, particularly Burley tobacco, which form a continuous stream are conditioned during transport by a series of vibratory conveyors. The foremost conveyor receives tobacco particles from a unit which contacts the particles with an atomized liquid, especially casing, and the conveyors thereupon transport the particles seriatim through preconditioning, heating, cooling and moisturizing units. The preconditioning unit has a housing consisting of one or more coiled steam pipes having orifices which discharge currents of steam against the underside of the tobacco stream at a pressure which suffices to enable the currents to form a cushion for the moving tobacco particles. The currents condense on contact with the relatively cool tobacco particles whereby the particles entrain the condensate into the heating unit wherein the particles are relieved of nitrogen and the casing is caused to penetrate into the fibrous structure of each particle with attendant roasting of the casing. The moisturizing unit may be similar to the preconditioning unit but is then further provided with one or more nozzles serving to sprinkle finely atomized water onto the particles which are supporte…