Patent · US Expired

Tobacco bale steam injection

US4498486A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
4References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 9, 1982
Grant dateFeb 12, 1985
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 9, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA24B3/06
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A method and apparatus for steam injection of tobacco bales for use in the opening process. In the apparatus, at least one orificed steam injection plate is brought in flush contact with a tobacco bale that is stationary or in motion and steam is caused to emit from the orifice and is thereby injected into the bale moistening, conditioning and loosening the bonds between the tobacco leaves. In the method, as the tobacco bale is conveyed past the steam injection orifice plate, the plate is moved in flush contact therewith, steam is supplied to the plate and emits therefrom through the orifices to penetrate the tobacco bale. The bale so conditioned is subsequently broken up by a rotating cylinder.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.