Apparatus and process for reclaiming tobacco
US4191199A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 1978 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07B13/003
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Apparatus and a process for reclaiming tobacco from rejected cigarettes is described in which cigarettes are first treated with hot water to saturate the paper wrapper and soften the glue holding together the edges of the cigarette wrapper. Saturation of the paper wrapper is followed by impacting the moistened cigarettes with steam. At sufficiently high temperatures, this will open the glue seam adjacent to the tobacco bearing section of the cigarette. At lower temperatures, the tobacco rod is expelled through the open end or ends of the cigarettes. The tobacco is thereafter dried and separated from the remainder of the cigarette material. The advantage of the process of the invention resides in its capacity to separate and reclaim the tobacco with minimal reduction of particle sizes. Long strands of tobacco are reclaimed intact. In addition, if the rejected cigarette includes a filter component, the filter structure may be separated intact from the remainder of the cigarette.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.