Process and apparatus for the expansion of tobacco
US4791942A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 1986 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S131/901
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A process for expanding tobacco includes the steps of adjusting the moisture content of cut tobacco, pressurizing the cut tobacco with or without treatment, releasing the pressurized cut tobacco rapidly into a dryer and reordering the tobacco. The apparatus includes a housing having at least one chamber and preferably a chamber divided into a plurality of isolated sectors. Tobacco is received in the chamber or in each sector and released quickly from the housing following at least the step of pressurization of tobacco by steam. The apparatus may be used for batch and continuous treatment of tobacco. According to the continuous treatment, the sectors are formed by a rotating member, and each sector of the member is filled with tobacco as the member rotates relative to an inlet. The inlet and an outlet through which treated tobacco falls are in vertical alignment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.