CA1047352A - Method and apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of shredded tobacco tissue - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of shredded tobacco tissueInfo
- Publication number
- CA1047352A CA1047352A CA259,048A CA259048A CA1047352A CA 1047352 A CA1047352 A CA 1047352A CA 259048 A CA259048 A CA 259048A CA 1047352 A CA1047352 A CA 1047352A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tobacco
- temperature
- gas
- moisture content
- drying
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B3/00—Preparing tobacco in the factory
- A24B3/18—Other treatment of leaves, e.g. puffing, crimpling, cleaning
- A24B3/182—Puffing
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- Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
Abstract
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INCREASING THE FILLING
CAPACITY OF SHREDDED TOBACCO TISSUE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Apparatus and method for increasing the filling capac-ity of a total blend of cut tobacco comprising first means for elevating the temperature and moisture content of the tobacco to at least about 130°F. and above about 15%, respectively, means for forming a thin laminar dispersion of the tobacco, about 1 inch thick, in a hot gas, and means operatively connected to said first means for rapidly lowering the moisture content of the thin dispersion of tobacco to about its making moisture within about five seconds such that the tobacco has achieved an expanded and opened condition with improved filling capacity.
CAPACITY OF SHREDDED TOBACCO TISSUE
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Apparatus and method for increasing the filling capac-ity of a total blend of cut tobacco comprising first means for elevating the temperature and moisture content of the tobacco to at least about 130°F. and above about 15%, respectively, means for forming a thin laminar dispersion of the tobacco, about 1 inch thick, in a hot gas, and means operatively connected to said first means for rapidly lowering the moisture content of the thin dispersion of tobacco to about its making moisture within about five seconds such that the tobacco has achieved an expanded and opened condition with improved filling capacity.
Description
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13 This invention `relates to the expansion o~ tobacco 14 for the purpose of increasing its filling capacity. Specifically, it pertains to a novel and improved method and appara~us which 16 rapidly, economically, simply, and reliably expands a total 17 blend of tobacco to the extent that the entire blend may be 18 used in the fabrication of complete rod-like tobacao pr~ducts 19 in which tbe expanded tobacco resists the tendency to ~lose back, possesses the s~ructural characteristic of non-~1 collapsibility, and does not contain materials unnatural to ~2 tobacco.
23 There presen~ly exist 1~ the tobacco industry various
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13 This invention `relates to the expansion o~ tobacco 14 for the purpose of increasing its filling capacity. Specifically, it pertains to a novel and improved method and appara~us which 16 rapidly, economically, simply, and reliably expands a total 17 blend of tobacco to the extent that the entire blend may be 18 used in the fabrication of complete rod-like tobacao pr~ducts 19 in which tbe expanded tobacco resists the tendency to ~lose back, possesses the s~ructural characteristic of non-~1 collapsibility, and does not contain materials unnatural to ~2 tobacco.
23 There presen~ly exist 1~ the tobacco industry various
2~ methods ~or incraasing the filling capacity o tobacco.
Essentially, what occurs in a typical puffing operation i~
26 that the normally compressed and dried tobacco is dimensionally 27 expanded to a certain extent such ~ha~ it is ~omewhat restored '~`
2~ to the dlmen~ion i~ hadiprior ~o ~he standard drying and 29 cutti~g procedures.
~5uch methods include contacting tobacco leaves, stem~
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Essentially, what occurs in a typical puffing operation i~
26 that the normally compressed and dried tobacco is dimensionally 27 expanded to a certain extent such ~ha~ it is ~omewhat restored '~`
2~ to the dlmen~ion i~ hadiprior ~o ~he standard drying and 29 cutti~g procedures.
~5uch methods include contacting tobacco leaves, stem~
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1 and/or veins with moisture (in the form of water and/or steam) 2 or a ~olvent and then exposing the thus treated tobacco to 3 heat, vacuum or free~e-drying so as to cause the tobacco to have an increased illing capaci~y. .
l None of the heretofore known procedures has, however, been entirely satisfactory for a variety of reasons. ~or example, 7 water treatment followed by freeze-drying results in a product 8 which has an objectionable amoun~ of tackiness because of the g hygroscopicity of a film-like layer of water-ex~xacted solids which forms on the surface of ~he tobacco. In many of the heat 11 expansion processes, whiie there is an initial expansion, the 12 expansion disappears upon drying. The use o solvent expansion 13 has not been entirely suitable since it adds non-tobacco elements 14 to the tobacco.
1~ Furthermore, with heretofore known puffiny techniques, 16 the degree of expansion which frequentl~ results constitutes 17 a major disadvantage. ~In particular, the foregoing type o 18 expansion is of such a re~atively large magnitude that if 19 an entire blend ox batch of shreddPd and/or artificially treated tobacco is exposed to such conventional processes and 21 subsequently utilized to form the standard types of rod-like 22 tobacco end products, such as cigarettes or the like, the tobacco 23 end product is relatively easily collapsible. Such collapsibil-2~ ity will correspondingly result in end products which lack 2 firmness and are otherwise of lower quality~ Quite obviously, 2 such tobacco end products as ciyare~es and ~he like made ex-27 clusively o f this type of expanded tobacco would tend to be 2 undesirable ~or ~he u~ual purposes of commercial marketing.
2 Accordingly, to obviate the previously mentioned dis-advantages~ it has become a rather customary and accepted . , .
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1 industry practice to admix only a partial amount of the expanded 2 tobacco with the usual non-expanded tobacco. The resulting .~ admix~ure results in a compromise which provides rod-like tobacco
1 and/or veins with moisture (in the form of water and/or steam) 2 or a ~olvent and then exposing the thus treated tobacco to 3 heat, vacuum or free~e-drying so as to cause the tobacco to have an increased illing capaci~y. .
l None of the heretofore known procedures has, however, been entirely satisfactory for a variety of reasons. ~or example, 7 water treatment followed by freeze-drying results in a product 8 which has an objectionable amoun~ of tackiness because of the g hygroscopicity of a film-like layer of water-ex~xacted solids which forms on the surface of ~he tobacco. In many of the heat 11 expansion processes, whiie there is an initial expansion, the 12 expansion disappears upon drying. The use o solvent expansion 13 has not been entirely suitable since it adds non-tobacco elements 14 to the tobacco.
1~ Furthermore, with heretofore known puffiny techniques, 16 the degree of expansion which frequentl~ results constitutes 17 a major disadvantage. ~In particular, the foregoing type o 18 expansion is of such a re~atively large magnitude that if 19 an entire blend ox batch of shreddPd and/or artificially treated tobacco is exposed to such conventional processes and 21 subsequently utilized to form the standard types of rod-like 22 tobacco end products, such as cigarettes or the like, the tobacco 23 end product is relatively easily collapsible. Such collapsibil-2~ ity will correspondingly result in end products which lack 2 firmness and are otherwise of lower quality~ Quite obviously, 2 such tobacco end products as ciyare~es and ~he like made ex-27 clusively o f this type of expanded tobacco would tend to be 2 undesirable ~or ~he u~ual purposes of commercial marketing.
2 Accordingly, to obviate the previously mentioned dis-advantages~ it has become a rather customary and accepted . , .
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1 industry practice to admix only a partial amount of the expanded 2 tobacco with the usual non-expanded tobacco. The resulting .~ admix~ure results in a compromise which provides rod-like tobacco
4 products at least partially formed from puffed tobacco which has sufficient structural rigidity in customary usage. However, 6 such processes none~heless fail to completely and satisfactorily 7 enable a total blend o tobacco to be used exclusively in forming 8 firm and commercially acceptable tobacco end products. More-9 over, by reason of ~he fact that expanded and non-expanded tobacco must be admixed, additional drawbacks result.. For 11 instance, an extra blending step is required, as well as the 12 requiremen~ for separate storage facili~ies to conveniently 13 store the expanded and non-expanded tobacco. The additional 14 blending step and separate storage fa~ ies 3 of course 9 result in increased costs.
16 Apart from the foregoing commented upon shortcomings lr in known prior art expansion processes, some of such pro~esses 18 typically rely upon undesirable artificial chemical solvents to 19 achieve pufin~. The use of artificial chemical solvents normally results in a tendency to leave non-tobacco elements wit~
21 ~he tobacco. Moreover, aside ~rom the aforementioned disadvan-2~ tages, undesirable artificial chemical $olvents add to the overaL
23 cost factors in producing tobacco end products.
24 ~n connection with the traditional drying apparatus 25 used in the field for drying tobac~o, many require considerable 26 periods o ~ime to efectuate an adequate dryin~ opera~ion.
27 This results in additional operatlonal time and costs which 2 }urther detract from any economic savings which mightotherwise 29 be possible with quicker drying modes of opexation. Furthermore, 3 there is a tendency for mechanical abuse to occur to the ~obacco -3~ .
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1 in these known tohacco dryexs. Mechanical abuse con~ributes 2 to the break-up of tobacco which correspondingly results in 3 a less satisfactory final proauct.
4 In view of the foregoing comments directed to the
16 Apart from the foregoing commented upon shortcomings lr in known prior art expansion processes, some of such pro~esses 18 typically rely upon undesirable artificial chemical solvents to 19 achieve pufin~. The use of artificial chemical solvents normally results in a tendency to leave non-tobacco elements wit~
21 ~he tobacco. Moreover, aside ~rom the aforementioned disadvan-2~ tages, undesirable artificial chemical $olvents add to the overaL
23 cost factors in producing tobacco end products.
24 ~n connection with the traditional drying apparatus 25 used in the field for drying tobac~o, many require considerable 26 periods o ~ime to efectuate an adequate dryin~ opera~ion.
27 This results in additional operatlonal time and costs which 2 }urther detract from any economic savings which mightotherwise 29 be possible with quicker drying modes of opexation. Furthermore, 3 there is a tendency for mechanical abuse to occur to the ~obacco -3~ .
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1 in these known tohacco dryexs. Mechanical abuse con~ributes 2 to the break-up of tobacco which correspondingly results in 3 a less satisfactory final proauct.
4 In view of the foregoing comments directed to the
5 various known prior art forms of apparatus and me~hods for
6 purposes of increasing the filling capaci~y of ~obacco, it will
7 be appreciated that the prior art cannot achieve, in a simple,
8 reliable, rapid and economical manner, the expansion of tobacco
9 materials, and particularly a total blend of tobacco~ such that
10 the expanded tobacco can be exclusively employed for the ~abri-
11 cation of conventional rod-like tobacco products which have
12 the firmness necessary for ordinary use. In addition, such con-
13 ventional techniques are relatively expensive since they utilize
14 non-expanded tobacco to obtain a suitable structurally rigid
15 tobacco end product.
16 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION . .
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17 An apparatus an~ process has been devised ~or increas .
18 ing the filling capacity of cu~ tobacco material comprising 1 means for e~evating the temperature and moisture content of ~20 the tobacco such that the heating and moisturizing are performed 21 or a period of time suficient to permit the cut tobacco to .
22 open from its compressed condition. The apparatus includes a first means for forming a relatively thin dispersion of the 24 opened tobàcco in a hot gas and means operatively connected 25 to said first means for rapidly lowering the moisture content 26 of the thin dispersion of tobacco to its op~imum moisture 27 conten~ within abou~ five seconds such ~hat ~he tobacco has 28 achieved an expanded and opened condition which resists the 2g closing back thereof.
~Q In the present invention ~he to~al blend of tobacco _ . '',,' ' .
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1 shreds to be used to form an end product are conditioned by.
raising the temperature thereo~ to a~ least abou~ 130F. and the 3 moisture content to at least about 15% and maintaining the 4 tobacco at such temperature and moisture content for a time 5 sufficient to permit the cut tobacco ~o open from the compressed B form resulting from cutting. The thus conditioned tobacco r is then rapidly dried in the form of a thin dispersion with a - 8 hot gas at a temperature such that its moisture content will 9 be lowered to its optimum making moisture content within about 5 seconds.
11 The apparatus and method of this invention will be 12 better understood when reference is had to the descriptive material which follows, including the examples and the accompany-14 ing drawings wherein llke reference numerals indicate like ; 15 structure through the several views.- In the drawings, 18 FIGURE 1 is a schemat-ic side elevational view illus-17 trating the apparatus embodying the principles of the present :
18 invention, .
lg FIGURE 2 is a plan view illustrating the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;
21 ~IGURE 3 is an enlarged side elevational view taken 22 substantially along section line 3-3 appearing in FIGURE 2 and 23 illustrating the drying apparatus of the present invention; and 24 FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view, the means by 25 Wh.ich the moisture content o the dried tobacco may be increased 26 if desired.
2r DETAILED DESCRIPTION ;..~ ' 28 . RePerxing to the drawings, there is depicted a novel 29 and improved apparatus embodying the principles of the present 30 invent.ion being yenerally designated by reference numeral 10.
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1 Apparatus lO is adapted for use in increasing the filling capa-2 city or power of tobacco T including leaves and/or stems, and/or 3 veins so that an entire amount of tobacco material may be sub-4 sequently employed for the complete formation of tobacco end products. More particularly, the apparatus lO is particularly 6 adapted to increase the filling capacity of a blend of different 7 $obaccos and tobacco materials used to make cigarettes, cigars, 8 or other tobacco products formed from shredded tobacco and . ~ tobacco materials. This blend of tobaccos is hereinafter re-lO ferred to as the "total blend"~
11 l It will be recognized that a variety of different 12 types and proportions of tobacco (Burley, Bright, etcD ) and 15 tobacco materials ~leaf, stem, veins, etc.) can be and are used 14 in forming the total blend dependent upon the flavor and other 15 characteristics desired in the end product. The present inven-16 tion is suitable for all such varieties and types of tobacco .
17 and tobacco materials used.and in the proportions used. The l~ total blends can be formed by any conventional procedure, as
22 open from its compressed condition. The apparatus includes a first means for forming a relatively thin dispersion of the 24 opened tobàcco in a hot gas and means operatively connected 25 to said first means for rapidly lowering the moisture content 26 of the thin dispersion of tobacco to its op~imum moisture 27 conten~ within abou~ five seconds such ~hat ~he tobacco has 28 achieved an expanded and opened condition which resists the 2g closing back thereof.
~Q In the present invention ~he to~al blend of tobacco _ . '',,' ' .
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1 shreds to be used to form an end product are conditioned by.
raising the temperature thereo~ to a~ least abou~ 130F. and the 3 moisture content to at least about 15% and maintaining the 4 tobacco at such temperature and moisture content for a time 5 sufficient to permit the cut tobacco ~o open from the compressed B form resulting from cutting. The thus conditioned tobacco r is then rapidly dried in the form of a thin dispersion with a - 8 hot gas at a temperature such that its moisture content will 9 be lowered to its optimum making moisture content within about 5 seconds.
11 The apparatus and method of this invention will be 12 better understood when reference is had to the descriptive material which follows, including the examples and the accompany-14 ing drawings wherein llke reference numerals indicate like ; 15 structure through the several views.- In the drawings, 18 FIGURE 1 is a schemat-ic side elevational view illus-17 trating the apparatus embodying the principles of the present :
18 invention, .
lg FIGURE 2 is a plan view illustrating the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;
21 ~IGURE 3 is an enlarged side elevational view taken 22 substantially along section line 3-3 appearing in FIGURE 2 and 23 illustrating the drying apparatus of the present invention; and 24 FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view, the means by 25 Wh.ich the moisture content o the dried tobacco may be increased 26 if desired.
2r DETAILED DESCRIPTION ;..~ ' 28 . RePerxing to the drawings, there is depicted a novel 29 and improved apparatus embodying the principles of the present 30 invent.ion being yenerally designated by reference numeral 10.
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1 Apparatus lO is adapted for use in increasing the filling capa-2 city or power of tobacco T including leaves and/or stems, and/or 3 veins so that an entire amount of tobacco material may be sub-4 sequently employed for the complete formation of tobacco end products. More particularly, the apparatus lO is particularly 6 adapted to increase the filling capacity of a blend of different 7 $obaccos and tobacco materials used to make cigarettes, cigars, 8 or other tobacco products formed from shredded tobacco and . ~ tobacco materials. This blend of tobaccos is hereinafter re-lO ferred to as the "total blend"~
11 l It will be recognized that a variety of different 12 types and proportions of tobacco (Burley, Bright, etcD ) and 15 tobacco materials ~leaf, stem, veins, etc.) can be and are used 14 in forming the total blend dependent upon the flavor and other 15 characteristics desired in the end product. The present inven-16 tion is suitable for all such varieties and types of tobacco .
17 and tobacco materials used.and in the proportions used. The l~ total blends can be formed by any conventional procedure, as
19 by admixing the various components and ~hredding them in a
20 cutter, such as a standard Molins or Legg cutter (not shown)..
21 Although the subsequent description of the particular
22 use o apparatus 10 is directed to expanding or puffing tobacco and tobacco materials T, it will be appreciated that it is24 within the spirit and scope of the instant invention that appar-~5 atus lO may be used to expand other types of materlals, in l 26 which it is desired to improve the filling capacity for various ; 27 commercial a~d industrial purposes.
2~ ~ssentially, as hereinafter described, the apparatus lO .
29 a envisioned by the presen~ invention, i~cludes~ in combination, . 30 ~ir~t or conditioning means 12 for at least :electively elevating ' ' o6 ., ., , .
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the temperature and moisture content of the tobacco T immediatelyprior -to expansion or puffing, and second or expanding means 14 operatively connected to the conditioning means 12 for rapidly expanding and drying a fine stream or thin dispersion of con-ditioned tobacco T such that the tobacco T is expanded and opened from a crimped, twisted position and is able to resist the normal tendency to close back.
The conditioning means 12 basically includes conveying means 16 and treating means 18. It will be understood that the tobacco T before being associated with conveying means 16 has been shredded and otherwise treated in accordance with conven-tional procedures. In addition, the shredding or cut-ting tech-niques employed in the tobacco industry cause the tobacco to become somewhat compressed and laminated together.
The conveying means 16 may include a conventional spreader-feeder 20 first conveying mechanism 24 and second con-veying mechanism 26. First and second conveying mechanisms 24 and 26, respectively, are basically constructed of conventional commercially available components and are driven by well-known types of drive systems. Therefore, a detailed description as to their construction and operation will not be given, since it does not ~orm an aspect of this invention. It will also be recognized that suitable structural supports (not shown) are employed to support the conveying mechanisms in their depicted positions.
With reference to spreader-feeder 20, it is of a con-ventional type presently available and of well-known construction.
Essentially, its discharge end 22 is positioned above first . conveying mechanism 24 so.as to deliver a controlled amount of shredded tobacco T onto the belt 30 of first conveying mechanism ~r~
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1 24. It will be appreciated that the discharge rate of spreader-feede`r 20 and speed of conveyor belt 30 of first conveying me-chanism 24 are appropriately adjusted so that a constant layer 4 of ~obacco T is provided.
Treating means 12, as best illustra~ed in FIGURE 1,is seen to essentially include heating, ordering, and metering chu~e 34. The ordering chu~e 34 includes a hopper-type struc-8 ture 36 and a steaming jacket 38. The hopper 36 is sui~ably 9 fastened to the discharge end of the first conveying mechanismlO 24 and forms a funneled inlet to ~he ordering chute 34. Treat-11 ing means 18 may also incl~de a standard type of motor driven 12 dofer 40 which is appropriately connected to and supported by the hopper 36. In addition, level control means 32 are provided 14 to control the height of the tobacco in chute 34 for proper con-ditioning. Control means 32 can be an electric eye, infra-red 9 16 sonic beam, fluidic means, or other conventional control means.
17 Control means 32 acts to control the speed (not shown) of con- ~-18 veyor 56 (hereinafter described) thereby regulating the height l~ of ~he tobacco in chute. -Basically, the heating, ordering, and metering chute 21 34 serves to elevate the temperature and mois~u~e content and 22 water vapor pressure of the shredded tobacco materials T for
2~ ~ssentially, as hereinafter described, the apparatus lO .
29 a envisioned by the presen~ invention, i~cludes~ in combination, . 30 ~ir~t or conditioning means 12 for at least :electively elevating ' ' o6 ., ., , .
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the temperature and moisture content of the tobacco T immediatelyprior -to expansion or puffing, and second or expanding means 14 operatively connected to the conditioning means 12 for rapidly expanding and drying a fine stream or thin dispersion of con-ditioned tobacco T such that the tobacco T is expanded and opened from a crimped, twisted position and is able to resist the normal tendency to close back.
The conditioning means 12 basically includes conveying means 16 and treating means 18. It will be understood that the tobacco T before being associated with conveying means 16 has been shredded and otherwise treated in accordance with conven-tional procedures. In addition, the shredding or cut-ting tech-niques employed in the tobacco industry cause the tobacco to become somewhat compressed and laminated together.
The conveying means 16 may include a conventional spreader-feeder 20 first conveying mechanism 24 and second con-veying mechanism 26. First and second conveying mechanisms 24 and 26, respectively, are basically constructed of conventional commercially available components and are driven by well-known types of drive systems. Therefore, a detailed description as to their construction and operation will not be given, since it does not ~orm an aspect of this invention. It will also be recognized that suitable structural supports (not shown) are employed to support the conveying mechanisms in their depicted positions.
With reference to spreader-feeder 20, it is of a con-ventional type presently available and of well-known construction.
Essentially, its discharge end 22 is positioned above first . conveying mechanism 24 so.as to deliver a controlled amount of shredded tobacco T onto the belt 30 of first conveying mechanism ~r~
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1 24. It will be appreciated that the discharge rate of spreader-feede`r 20 and speed of conveyor belt 30 of first conveying me-chanism 24 are appropriately adjusted so that a constant layer 4 of ~obacco T is provided.
Treating means 12, as best illustra~ed in FIGURE 1,is seen to essentially include heating, ordering, and metering chu~e 34. The ordering chu~e 34 includes a hopper-type struc-8 ture 36 and a steaming jacket 38. The hopper 36 is sui~ably 9 fastened to the discharge end of the first conveying mechanismlO 24 and forms a funneled inlet to ~he ordering chute 34. Treat-11 ing means 18 may also incl~de a standard type of motor driven 12 dofer 40 which is appropriately connected to and supported by the hopper 36. In addition, level control means 32 are provided 14 to control the height of the tobacco in chute 34 for proper con-ditioning. Control means 32 can be an electric eye, infra-red 9 16 sonic beam, fluidic means, or other conventional control means.
17 Control means 32 acts to control the speed (not shown) of con- ~-18 veyor 56 (hereinafter described) thereby regulating the height l~ of ~he tobacco in chute. -Basically, the heating, ordering, and metering chute 21 34 serves to elevate the temperature and mois~u~e content and 22 water vapor pressure of the shredded tobacco materials T for
23 purposes afterwards described.
24 As best shown in FIGURE 2, chute 34 defines a generallyvertically positioned opening 44 for permitting the passage ~6 therethrough of the shredded tobacco. In this embodimen~, the 2~ opening 44 is generally oval in shape for facilitating improved 28 movement of tobacco T. Chute 34 includes a hollow steaming jac-29 ket 38 which surrounds the opening 44. The jacke~ 38 receives s~eam tbrough inlet 48. Jacket 38 distribu~es the s~eam into ~ ~8-. . , ' '. ~-. , ..
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1 opening 44 through a plurality of vent openings (not shown) 2 formed in t~e jacket 38. Such an arrangement enables the inter~
mixing of steam with the shredded tobacco T. In addition, the 4 chute 34 further functions in a similar manner as a conventional metering chute for purposes of controlling the discharge o~
B treated or conditioned tobacco therefrom. The tobacco T which Y descends into the opening tends to acc~ulate therein. As de-8 scribed, the amount of tobacco T discharged from the ordering 9 chute 34 may be adjusted by varying the speed of conveyor 56.
Such chute 34, as contemplated by the present invention may 11 also utilize any well-known types of devices for detecting tem-12 perature and moisture content, also no~ shown, for purposes of 13 ~urther providing for a more uniform and precise temperature 14 and moisture level of the tobacco during conditioning.
1~ In trea~ing or conditioning the shredded tobacco, 16 sufficient steam should be introduced in~o the jacket 38 to heat 17 the tobacco T to at least a temperature of about 130Fo Addi-18 tionally, it is contempla~ed that such steam be applied so as to 19 enable the moi$ture content of the tobacco to increase to about between 15 and 35%. Moreover, although the temperature o the 21 tobacco can rise to above 130F., its maximum should be below 22 tha~ at which ~he tobacco T will become scorched or discolored 23 or have an adverse effect on aroma or subsequent smoke taste.
2~ An upper limit is 250F. with temperatures in the range of 180 to 200F. being preferred. The upper moisture level is preferabl about 35% with a range of 22 to 26% preferred. Operating within ~7 these parameters~ the time necessary to condition the tobacco 28 can vary ~rom a period of seconds to about 5 minutes.
29 Although the preferred embodiment discloses tha$ a chute 34 is S0 employed in the conditioning of the tobacco T, it will be understo ~d , .' , .
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~0~7352 1 that conditioning can be carried out in any suitable apparatus, 2 whether horizontal or vertical, into which the tobacco can be 3 fed, preferably continuously, and in which the temperature and 4 moisture content can be controlled.
After such conditioning, the tobacco T will migrate downwardly from the bottom of ordering chute 34 and fall onto the second conveying mechanism 26 where the total blend is 8 promptly dried in the form of a substantially continuous thin laminar flow in a hot gas. Preferably, the thickness of the laminar dispersion should be about 1 inch. It is essential 11 that this drying be accomplished with a hot gas, preferably 12 ho~,lmoist air, in the shortest possible time. Contributing to 13 the rapid drying is the step of disrupting the laminar ~low 14 toward the ~nd of the drying stage to form a highly turbulert flow before the to~acco is separated from the drying gas. This 1~ contributes to the rapid evaporation of the moisture from the 17 tobaceo. For drying, the gas temperature should be from about 18 300 to 600F. and the moisture level of the tobacco lowered lg to that approaching its normal making moisture content~ For most tobacco blends used ln forming cigarettes, such moisture 21 level is about 11% to 16%. It is necessary to accomplish such 22 drying in the period of less than about 5 seconds and preferably 23 less than about 2 seconds. ~
24 In regard to the second conveying mechanism 26, conti-nued reference i5 made to FIGURES 1 and 2. Basically, conveying 26 mechanism 26 is arranged such that its endless conveying belt 28-27 advances tobaceo T from ehute 34 toward expanding means 14, as 28 indieated by the arrows in FIGURES 1 and 2. As depicted~ con-29 veying mechanism 26 has associated therewith, support seetion 52,eovering ~eans 54, discharge conveying device 56, discharge .~ , ' . -10-. ' .' ' .
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1 housing 58 and a standard doffer mechanism 60. In addition, 2 kicker 46 is provided ~o provide a subs~antially uniform layer 3 of conditioned tobacco to the inlet section of the drying means where doffer 60 acts to disperse it into the dryer.
The support section 52 is suitably connected to the discharge end of the chu~e 34. Disposed beneath the discharge r end 62 of the oval chute opening 44 and housed within the support 8 section 52 is discharge conveying device 56 and doffer 60. In thi s 9 particular embodiment, such device 56 includes a declined conveyin g ~elt 64 which functions to provide for a more uniform delivery 11 of the discharged and treated tobacco T onto belt 30 of convey-12 ing mechanism 26. This in conjunction with doffer 60 and kicker 13 46 contributes to the achievement of a relatively uniform layer of tobacco T which is advanced to the expanding means 14. To-wards this particular end, conveying device 56 is positioned 1~ so that it slopes downwardly from the discharge end 62 of -17 ordering chute 34 to the belt 28 of the conveying mechanism 26.
18 It will be recognized that the rates of movement of the declined lg belt 64, conveying belt ~28 of conveying mechanism 26, as well as the discharge rate from ordering chute 34 are appropriately 21 adjusted so that a relatively uniform layer of tobacco T is 22 carried to the dryer.
23 A5 previously described, the present invention embodies 24 covering means 54. Such covering means 54 essentially serves the purpose of preventing undesired amounts of heat to dissipate 26 from the conditioned tobacco T as it travels from the ordering 27 chute 34 to the expanding means 14. Towards this particular end, ~8 any ~uitable type of material may be used which will tend to 29 diminish excessive heat flow from the tobacco T during transport.
Whatever structure is used, however, it should be appropriately ' ' ~ . ' . , ' . .
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l connected to the conveying mechanism 26 so that the open top 2 portion thereof is effectively enclosed. As will become evident 3 by retaining the heat, the tobacco T will be better able to 4 expand in expanding means 14. Although covering means 54 has been described for use in conjunction with conveying mechanism 26, it will be appreciated, of course, that such need not be 7 provided. In fac~, conveying means 26 is not essential and the 8 prior conveyors and chute 34 can be positioned so as to feed the 9 conditioned tobacco directly from the chute 34 into expanding means 14 if desired with appropriate dispersion effected by ll means of doffers or the like.
12 Connected to the discharge end of the second conveying 13 mechanism 26 is discharge housing 58. Discharge housing 58 serves 14 to suitably interconnect the end of the second conveyor 26 to the expanding means 14 for enabling the treated tobacco T to enter l~ the latter. Doffer mechanism 60 is of a well-known type and is 17 suitably connected to the discharge housing 58 such that it is 18 disposed within the interior thereof adjacent the end of belt 28`.
lg The doffer mechanism 60 is driven at a high rate of speed rela-tive to the speed of movement of the belt 28 of conveying mechan-21 ism 26. By reason of this arrangement, the tobacco T is able to 22 be picked or pulled of~ more easily from belt 28`. Furthermore, .
23 the doffer not only serves to prevent hang up of the tobacco T
24 but also provides for a uniform acceleration of tobacco T into
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1 opening 44 through a plurality of vent openings (not shown) 2 formed in t~e jacket 38. Such an arrangement enables the inter~
mixing of steam with the shredded tobacco T. In addition, the 4 chute 34 further functions in a similar manner as a conventional metering chute for purposes of controlling the discharge o~
B treated or conditioned tobacco therefrom. The tobacco T which Y descends into the opening tends to acc~ulate therein. As de-8 scribed, the amount of tobacco T discharged from the ordering 9 chute 34 may be adjusted by varying the speed of conveyor 56.
Such chute 34, as contemplated by the present invention may 11 also utilize any well-known types of devices for detecting tem-12 perature and moisture content, also no~ shown, for purposes of 13 ~urther providing for a more uniform and precise temperature 14 and moisture level of the tobacco during conditioning.
1~ In trea~ing or conditioning the shredded tobacco, 16 sufficient steam should be introduced in~o the jacket 38 to heat 17 the tobacco T to at least a temperature of about 130Fo Addi-18 tionally, it is contempla~ed that such steam be applied so as to 19 enable the moi$ture content of the tobacco to increase to about between 15 and 35%. Moreover, although the temperature o the 21 tobacco can rise to above 130F., its maximum should be below 22 tha~ at which ~he tobacco T will become scorched or discolored 23 or have an adverse effect on aroma or subsequent smoke taste.
2~ An upper limit is 250F. with temperatures in the range of 180 to 200F. being preferred. The upper moisture level is preferabl about 35% with a range of 22 to 26% preferred. Operating within ~7 these parameters~ the time necessary to condition the tobacco 28 can vary ~rom a period of seconds to about 5 minutes.
29 Although the preferred embodiment discloses tha$ a chute 34 is S0 employed in the conditioning of the tobacco T, it will be understo ~d , .' , .
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~0~7352 1 that conditioning can be carried out in any suitable apparatus, 2 whether horizontal or vertical, into which the tobacco can be 3 fed, preferably continuously, and in which the temperature and 4 moisture content can be controlled.
After such conditioning, the tobacco T will migrate downwardly from the bottom of ordering chute 34 and fall onto the second conveying mechanism 26 where the total blend is 8 promptly dried in the form of a substantially continuous thin laminar flow in a hot gas. Preferably, the thickness of the laminar dispersion should be about 1 inch. It is essential 11 that this drying be accomplished with a hot gas, preferably 12 ho~,lmoist air, in the shortest possible time. Contributing to 13 the rapid drying is the step of disrupting the laminar ~low 14 toward the ~nd of the drying stage to form a highly turbulert flow before the to~acco is separated from the drying gas. This 1~ contributes to the rapid evaporation of the moisture from the 17 tobaceo. For drying, the gas temperature should be from about 18 300 to 600F. and the moisture level of the tobacco lowered lg to that approaching its normal making moisture content~ For most tobacco blends used ln forming cigarettes, such moisture 21 level is about 11% to 16%. It is necessary to accomplish such 22 drying in the period of less than about 5 seconds and preferably 23 less than about 2 seconds. ~
24 In regard to the second conveying mechanism 26, conti-nued reference i5 made to FIGURES 1 and 2. Basically, conveying 26 mechanism 26 is arranged such that its endless conveying belt 28-27 advances tobaceo T from ehute 34 toward expanding means 14, as 28 indieated by the arrows in FIGURES 1 and 2. As depicted~ con-29 veying mechanism 26 has associated therewith, support seetion 52,eovering ~eans 54, discharge conveying device 56, discharge .~ , ' . -10-. ' .' ' .
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1 housing 58 and a standard doffer mechanism 60. In addition, 2 kicker 46 is provided ~o provide a subs~antially uniform layer 3 of conditioned tobacco to the inlet section of the drying means where doffer 60 acts to disperse it into the dryer.
The support section 52 is suitably connected to the discharge end of the chu~e 34. Disposed beneath the discharge r end 62 of the oval chute opening 44 and housed within the support 8 section 52 is discharge conveying device 56 and doffer 60. In thi s 9 particular embodiment, such device 56 includes a declined conveyin g ~elt 64 which functions to provide for a more uniform delivery 11 of the discharged and treated tobacco T onto belt 30 of convey-12 ing mechanism 26. This in conjunction with doffer 60 and kicker 13 46 contributes to the achievement of a relatively uniform layer of tobacco T which is advanced to the expanding means 14. To-wards this particular end, conveying device 56 is positioned 1~ so that it slopes downwardly from the discharge end 62 of -17 ordering chute 34 to the belt 28 of the conveying mechanism 26.
18 It will be recognized that the rates of movement of the declined lg belt 64, conveying belt ~28 of conveying mechanism 26, as well as the discharge rate from ordering chute 34 are appropriately 21 adjusted so that a relatively uniform layer of tobacco T is 22 carried to the dryer.
23 A5 previously described, the present invention embodies 24 covering means 54. Such covering means 54 essentially serves the purpose of preventing undesired amounts of heat to dissipate 26 from the conditioned tobacco T as it travels from the ordering 27 chute 34 to the expanding means 14. Towards this particular end, ~8 any ~uitable type of material may be used which will tend to 29 diminish excessive heat flow from the tobacco T during transport.
Whatever structure is used, however, it should be appropriately ' ' ~ . ' . , ' . .
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l connected to the conveying mechanism 26 so that the open top 2 portion thereof is effectively enclosed. As will become evident 3 by retaining the heat, the tobacco T will be better able to 4 expand in expanding means 14. Although covering means 54 has been described for use in conjunction with conveying mechanism 26, it will be appreciated, of course, that such need not be 7 provided. In fac~, conveying means 26 is not essential and the 8 prior conveyors and chute 34 can be positioned so as to feed the 9 conditioned tobacco directly from the chute 34 into expanding means 14 if desired with appropriate dispersion effected by ll means of doffers or the like.
12 Connected to the discharge end of the second conveying 13 mechanism 26 is discharge housing 58. Discharge housing 58 serves 14 to suitably interconnect the end of the second conveyor 26 to the expanding means 14 for enabling the treated tobacco T to enter l~ the latter. Doffer mechanism 60 is of a well-known type and is 17 suitably connected to the discharge housing 58 such that it is 18 disposed within the interior thereof adjacent the end of belt 28`.
lg The doffer mechanism 60 is driven at a high rate of speed rela-tive to the speed of movement of the belt 28 of conveying mechan-21 ism 26. By reason of this arrangement, the tobacco T is able to 22 be picked or pulled of~ more easily from belt 28`. Furthermore, .
23 the doffer not only serves to prevent hang up of the tobacco T
24 but also provides for a uniform acceleration of tobacco T into
25 expanding means 14. .
26 Tuming now to tobacco expanding means 14, reference is 2r made to FIGURES 1 and 3. As shown, tobacco expanding means 14 28 includes dryi~g means 70 and separating means 74. .
29 In connection with the drying means, 70, it essentially 30 functions to flash dry the tobacco T in an extremely rapid --. ', . ' ' .
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manner for purposes afterwards explained. Basically, drying 2 means 70 is comprised of a dryer housing member 76 and perfora~ed 3 screen 78. Dryer housing member 76 includes walls 80 that define 4 a generally hollow interior, as well as respec~ive inlet and out-le~ openings 82 and 84. Addi~ionally, a hot-gas inlet 86 is 6 suitably formed in a side walL 80 of the housing member 76 for 7 purposes afterwards described. Perforated screen 78 is connected 8 be~een the inlet and outle~ openings 82 and 84, respectively, 9 to form a plenum chamber 88 and a tobacco passageway 90. The hot gas inlet opening 86 communicates with the plenum chamber 11 88 and enables the introduction therethrough of a hot gas medium 12 indicated by reference 91, which is supplied from a conventional 13 suitable source (not shown). The hot gas medium 91, as contem-plated ~or use in the present embodiment may be standard hot, moist air. With hot, moist air it will be appreciated that 1~ the water vapor pressure thereof will be relatively low, espe-17 cially in comparison to the water vapor pressure of the moisture 18 in the treated tobacco T. Normally, for optimum results, the hot 1~ gas temperature should range from about 300F to 600F. Such values are given for purposes of illustration and not limitation.
21 As previously indicated, perforated screen 78 divides 22 the dryer housing member 76 into a plenum chamber 88 and a 23 tobacco passageway 90. The tobacco passageway 90 is designed 2~ to accommodate the relati~el~ fine dispersion D of tobacco T in 2~ the $as. Such passageway 90 is appropriately sized and the `28 velocity o~ ~he gas regula~ed so as ~o preven~ passageway 90
29 In connection with the drying means, 70, it essentially 30 functions to flash dry the tobacco T in an extremely rapid --. ', . ' ' .
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manner for purposes afterwards explained. Basically, drying 2 means 70 is comprised of a dryer housing member 76 and perfora~ed 3 screen 78. Dryer housing member 76 includes walls 80 that define 4 a generally hollow interior, as well as respec~ive inlet and out-le~ openings 82 and 84. Addi~ionally, a hot-gas inlet 86 is 6 suitably formed in a side walL 80 of the housing member 76 for 7 purposes afterwards described. Perforated screen 78 is connected 8 be~een the inlet and outle~ openings 82 and 84, respectively, 9 to form a plenum chamber 88 and a tobacco passageway 90. The hot gas inlet opening 86 communicates with the plenum chamber 11 88 and enables the introduction therethrough of a hot gas medium 12 indicated by reference 91, which is supplied from a conventional 13 suitable source (not shown). The hot gas medium 91, as contem-plated ~or use in the present embodiment may be standard hot, moist air. With hot, moist air it will be appreciated that 1~ the water vapor pressure thereof will be relatively low, espe-17 cially in comparison to the water vapor pressure of the moisture 18 in the treated tobacco T. Normally, for optimum results, the hot 1~ gas temperature should range from about 300F to 600F. Such values are given for purposes of illustration and not limitation.
21 As previously indicated, perforated screen 78 divides 22 the dryer housing member 76 into a plenum chamber 88 and a 23 tobacco passageway 90. The tobacco passageway 90 is designed 2~ to accommodate the relati~el~ fine dispersion D of tobacco T in 2~ the $as. Such passageway 90 is appropriately sized and the `28 velocity o~ ~he gas regula~ed so as ~o preven~ passageway 90
27 ~rom bPing choked or otherwise becoming clogged by the tobacco.
28 ~erforated screen 78 has a generally U-shaped configura~ion which
29 correspondingly ~orms a generally U-shaped tobacco passageway 90.
50 The generally U-shaped configuration has been determlned to be . . .
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a space savlng arrangement. Accordingly, such facilitates a 2 more efficient u~ilization of plant floor space. Of course, it will be appreciated that perforated screen 78 may be configured 4 to define other sui~ably shaped passageways.
A plurality of louvers or slots 92 are fonmed in perforated screen 78 and are arranged in an appropriate pattern 7 throughout the entire extent ~hereof. Basically, the slots 92 8 act ~o direct corresponding streams of hot gas into the tobacco 9 passageway 90 for rapidly transpor~ing the thin laminar dispersior D of ~obacco T through the dryer. The slots 92 are, pre~er-11 ably, arranged in corresponding parallel rows (not shown) wherein 12 adjacent rows have the slots 92 staggered wi~h respect to the 13 opposite rows. Through this particular ~rrangement of slots 92, 14 turbulence within passageway 90 will be minimized as the thin laminar flow of tobacco T passes therethrough. Of course, other 1~ appropriate arrangements and pat~erns of slots 9~ may also be 17 used within the spirit and scope of ~he invention so long as they 18 tend to decrease turbulence. Consequently, the shredded tobacco lg T can, in a more efficient manner, uniformly and quickly pass through the dryer housing member 76.
21 The conveyance velocity in which the hot gas 91 22 travels through the slots 92 should be at least sufficient in 23 magnitude to create a pressure drop adjacent such slots 92 in 2~ tobacco passageway 90 so as to facilitate the uniform advancemen~
of the hot gas 91 as weil as tobacco T through such passageway.
~ It will be recognized, of course, that the minimum con~eyance Z7 velocity will be selected in accordance with sound engineering 28 principles as to achieve the desired end of conveying the 29 hot-gas 91 and tobacco T through passageway 90. Preferably, S0 such conveying velocit~ should be of such a magnitude that it '. ., .' . , .~
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~ ~0'}7352 will enable the thin tobacco dispersion ~o be passed through 2 the tobacco passageway in abou~ less ~han two seconds. Although 3 the present embodiment prefers that the tobacco T be conveyed through the dryer housing member 76 in about less than about two seconds, it has been also discovered that suitably drying and expanding of tobacco T ~ay result if the tobacco is conveyed i through the dryer in a time up to about 5 seconds.
8 In ~he ~obacco passageway 90, it will be appreciated 9 that the moisture content of ~he tobacco T is lowered to approach its normal making moisture content. For most tobacco blends ll used in forming cigare~tes, such moisture level is about 12 11 to 16%. During this loss of moisture content, the filling 13 capacity of the tobacco T has been increased.
14 It is important from the standpoint of achievement of this reduction in moisture content and corresponding increase ~ apacity l~ in filling / that the dispersion o~ tobacco T be relatively 17 thin. In this particular manner, there is a greater intimacy 18 or optimization of contact of the tobac~o surfaces with the lg dry, hot air 9~.
While the precise theory for this controlled increase 21 in ~illing capacity is not ccmpletely understood, it is believed 2æ that, during the conditioningl some delamination and opening of 23 the shredded tobacco occurs. The elevation, moreover, of tobacco 24 ~empera~ure to near ~he boiling point of water permits the watPr 2~ to be rapîdly removed when the tobacco enters the drying step.
2~ This high temperature treatment coupled with ~hort ~reatment time 27 is such to cause the water vapor not only ~o assert an evapora-28 ~ive coolîng actîon, but the rapid water removal causes the ~9 water vapor leaving the tobacco struc~ure to assert a positive ~0 internal pressur- uch that the expansive effect is greater dur-., , . . -15-. . ,, .
., '' ~ ' . . ' . I' ~ ~¢~ 5 1 ing drying than for processes usually associated with conven-2 tion~l tobacco dryin~. Such action is facilitated by the intimac~
3 of contact be~ween the tobacco and dry air.
Thus, the resultant final dried tobacco shreds have ~ been expanded and opened rom compressed positions and are 8 stabilized in that state, resisting the closing back ~ ~reo 7 which would occur during cigarette manuEacture. O im~or~ance 8 is the ~act that this ~reated tobacco retains its increase in 9 filling capacity which can vary from about 5% to 25% greater than conventionally dried tobacco even during ~he handling required 11 in ~igarette manufacture.
12 Moreover, since the tobacco T enters the drying member 76 in thin dispersions D and travels quickly therethrough~ there 14 is a diminished tendency for the tobacco to experi.ence mechani-cal abuse.
1~ Although the most desirable condition would be to have 17 a cons~ant flow rate of tobacco it should be pointed out that 18 this dryer is more adaptable to varying flow rates than conven-lg tional drying equipment. Take-away conveyor 56 is modulated in speed either in step fashion or proportionally to accommodate 21 the varying input rate and the wet bulb of the drying air modu-22 lated by p-oportional water conditioning such that ~he drying effect is the same for varying ra~es. In other words, the in-24 herent disadvantages of the first lot of tobacco into a dryer and th~ last to come ou~, as well as the normal interruptions in 2~ flow, can be instantly compensated for.
27 More effective drying is obtained i means are pro-2 vided for creating turbulence of the gas stream and rapid accel-29 eration of the gas relativs to the tobacco surfaces immediately3 ater ~hey exit rom the dryer 76. As depicted in FIGURES 1 ~ . ' ,' ' . .
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1 and 3, accelerating m~ans 94 is defined by an air-tight venturi 2 member which has a generally triangular shape in cross-secLion.
~f course, other ~ypes of configurations are conceivabl~ and 4 usable. Venturi member 94 is positioned within an outlet duct ~ 97 for the drying member 76 so that a relatively narrow space 8 95 exists between its apex and ~he inner wall of duct 97. For 7 example, if the duct 97 has a width of about six inches, a ven-8 turi member which defines a two~inch space 95 between i~ and the 9 duct 97 will achieve the desired acceleration required. The foregoing dimensions were given for purposes of illustration and 11 should not be considered limiting in any respect. It will also 12 be understood that other means for increasing the acceleration 13 or velocity, such as an orifice or a contraction in the exit 14 duct, can be used in place of the ~enturi.
1~ Essen~ially, the venturi member 94 significantly 1~ accelerates the hot air 91 so that it increases or boosts velo-17 city of such hot gas stream relative to the thin tobacco stream ~8 D. It is believed that such a rapid increase in velocity creates 19 a turbulence whereby the ho~ gas 91 tends to wipe moisture from ,20 the surfaces o~ the shredded tobacco T. It is believed such 21 moisture has formed on the surface of the tobacco T as a result 22 of the rapid vaporizing which occurs through the intimate con-æ3 tact of the hot air 91 and of tobacco T in the tobacco passage-24 way 90. Since such intimacy of contact remains between the 25 heated air 91 and ~hin dispersion D of tobacco T, this wiping 28 action will better be able to remove such moisture. By wiping 27 the tobacco surface, it is believed tha~ the removal of moisture 28 and puffing o~ tobacco T are able to be more satisfactorily com-29 pletedO It should be recognized that the foregoing explanation is theoretical and represents what the inventors at present .~, . ' , ' . ,- ', " ' .
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1 believe occurs. H~wever, it i5 known that by having ~he venturi 2 member 94 positioned in the manner indicated, the significant 3 expansion of applicants' invention is achieved..
4 . In connection with the separating means 74, it is best depicted in FIGURES l to 3. As illustrated, separating means 74 includes a standard type of centrifugal device 96 and an appro-7 priate separating air lock means 98~ Inlet and outlet ducts 100 8 and 102 are connected to the centrifugal separating device 96.
9 Centrifugal separating device 96 is constructed o conventional commercially available components and, ~herefore, a detailed ll description of its construction is not deemed necessary since it ..
æ does not ~orm an aspect of the invention. To basically under-13 stand the operation thereof, however, it will be understood that, 14 as the admixture of expanded or puffed tobacco T and hot drying 15 air 91 exit past the venturi member 94 and enter inlet duct 100~ ;
l~ inlet duct 100 directs.the thin stream D of puffed or expanded 17 tobacco T and hot gas 91 to the separating device 96. In a 18 well-known fashionj the hot air 91 and tobacco T are separated .
in such a manner that the tobacco T, under the influence of.
20 gravity, descends outlet duct 102 while the air exits through .
21 opening 106. The heated air 91 ~hich is directed out~ardly 22 from the centrifugal separating device 96 through opening 106 23 may be appropriately recycled in whole or in part for repeated 24 use as the.drying air 91 in the flash dryer device 76. Air lock 25 means 98 may be defined by a s~andard rotary air lock device .
26 which essentially functions to discharge amounts of the expanded 27 tobacco ~ onto an output conveyor 108. Conveyor 108 will advance 28 the expanded ~obacco T to an appropriate station for further processing such as cooling and flavoring.
SO In view of the foregoing description, the operation of . . ., .
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l apparatus 10 is believed evident. To supplement such description~
however, it will be understood that the tobacco T, in shredded form, is conveyed by the first conveying mechanism 24 to the treating mea~s 18. Treating means 18 elevates the temperature of ~he tobacco T to above about 130F~, and elevates the mois-ture content of such ~obacco to above about 15%. The heating and moisturizing operations are performed for a time sufficient 8 to permit cut tobacco T to open from its compressed condition.
g After discharge from treating means 18, the tobacco T drops onto the conveying mechanism 26 Expanding means 14 is operatively ll connected to said treating means 18 for rapidly lowering the 12 moisture content of the thin dispersions D of tobacco T to about 13 its making mois~ure within about 5 seconds such that the tobacco 14 has achieved an expanded and opened condition which resists the closing back thereof.
1~ FIGURE 4 is a detailed sectional view of spray manifold 1 17 means 110 used to introduce moisture, if desired, back into the 18 tobacco. Such means include a spray head 112 attached to duct lg 100 so a~ to spray water onto the tobacco material and gas stream as it passes through duct 100. A tube 114 is provided to supply 21 water to the spray head and drain 116 and drain piping 118 are so ~2 located on manifold 110 so as to remove any excess water that is 23 not absorbed by the tobacco but which accumulates at the bottom 24 of the manifold.
, The expanded tobacco is then cooled by any suitable means, as by a current of ambient air, and the tobacco may then 27 be appropriately flavored and the expanded total blend used t~
28 form cigar ttes or the treated blend may itself be ~lended with non-treatea tobacco to form cigarettes, and the like. Of importance is the fact that this txeated tobacco retains its ' 19 .' . ''" ,'. ','.
. , , , , . .
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1 increase in filling capacity which can vary from about 5 to 2 25% greater than untreated tobacco product wikh no more tha~
the usual loss of filling power during the handling requir d 4 in cigarette manufacture.
~hile the precise theory for this controlled incr;ease ~ in filling capacity is not completely understood, it i~ believed r that during the conditioning some delamination and opening of 8 the shredded tobacco occurs along wi~h some possible swelling of g the shreds. The elevation, moreover, of tobacco temperature to near the boiling point of water permits the water to be rapidly 11 removed when the tobacco enters the drying step. This high 12 temperature treatment coupled with short treatment time is such to cause the water vapor pressure to elevate thus causing rapid ~ water removal and in so doing exerts a positive internal pres-15 sure such that the expansive eff~ct is greater during drying 1B than for processes usually associated with conventional tobacco 17 drying.
18 Thus, the dried tobacco with increased filling capacity ~9 which results from expansion and opening, is stabilized in that s~ate, resisting the closing back thereo.
21 The invention will be further described in connection 22 with the following examples which are set forth for purposes of 2S illustration only and in which all proportions are by weigh~
X~ unless expressly sta~ed to the con~rary.
~5 EXAMPLE 1 ., 2~ 2500 parts o~ a commercially sold filter menthol cig-27 arette blend containing flue-cured, burley, oriental, and by-28 product tobaccos in the orm of tobacco strip and without finish-29 ing ~lavor or menthol were cut or shredded with Molins cutter.
Moisture after cutting was 19.9%. The cut tobacco was conveyed . ' ' .
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3~ 2 through appropriate conveying system through a metering chute ~o 2 a condiLioning chute. Moisture and temperature of the tobacco 3 was adjusted with steam so that the tobacco leaving the chute 4 was at a moisture content of 22.4% and a temperature of 185F.
The conditioned tobacco was conveyed in an even thickness stream using motor driven doffers above an inclined conveyor to the en-tranceo a flash dryer six feet wide. The gas in this system as 8 measured in the plenum was at a temperature of 400F. and the 9 air volume was at 7,300 scfm. The tobacco leaving the dropout of the dryer had a moisture of 13~4%o On further conveying and 11 ambient drying, the tobacco moisture was 13.1% and the filling 12 capacity and ~s used herein synonymously therewith "filling 13 power"increase above a control shredded sample of tobacco pro-14 cessed in an ADT dryer was 18.5% ~4.86 cc/gm filling power of15 treate~ sam?le to 4.10 cc/gm for an untreated sample). Tobacco l~ was processed in this system a~ a rate of feed of approximately 17 5500 pounds per hour using a hot,moist gas recycle ratio of 56%.
18 The tobacco was conveyed through a flavoring drum for application of finishing flavor and menthol. The filling power increase after this additional step showed an increase above the control 2~ of 15.1% (4.71 cc/gm treated versus 4.10 cc/gm control).
22 Cigare~tes manufactured from the treated experimental tobacco were made at weigh~s of 109.5 cigarettes`per four ounces 2~ and these compared favorably with control cigarettes made with 2~ conventionally processed tobacco a~ heavier weights of 107.5 26 cigarettes per four ounces as far as physical properties and 27 smoke composition. Thus, eight cigarettes more per pound of ~8 tobacco could be manu~actured using tobacco treated in accordance 29 with the present inventlon.
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2 300 parts of a commercially sold non-filter blend con-3 ~aining a mixture of flue~cured, burley, oriental and byproduct 4 tobacco shredded in the fac~ory, but without finishing flavor and at a moisture of 17.9% was conveyed to a heating and ordering chute. The tobacco was treated in the conditioning chute so as 7 to raise the temperature to 190F. and the moisture to 22.3%.
8 Tobacco was conveyed in an even layer to a 3-foo~ wide "U"
9 shaped flash dryer and expanded and dried wi~h a hot air mix~ure 10 at a temperature of 350F. as measured at the plenum. The air 11 volume was 3600 scfm using a hot,moist gas recycle ratlo of 60%
12 return. The tobacco came out the dryer rotary lock dropout at at 16.4% moisture and, after passing over a vibrationaL cooler-shaker conveyor, had a moisture of 15.2%. Tobacco was finally conveyed to storage containers where it had a mois~ure o 15.1%.
1~ The filling power increase as determined on regular analysis of 17 the sample drawn from the s~orage container was 7.9% (filling 18 power of 4.10 cc/gm treated versus 3.80 cc/gm for con~rol refer-}g ence blend processed in the conventional manner). The rate of tobacco trea~ment through the dryer was 2750 pounds per hour.
22 The experiment of Example 2 was repeated, except that 23 a drying temperature of 400F. was used. Mois~ure of the ~4 tobacco a~ter the heating and ordering chute was 23.5%, out the dryer at the rotary lock dropout moisture was 16.5%, after the ~ vibrational cooler-shaker moisture was 14.7%, and finally at the storage container moisture was determined at 14.2%. The filling 2 power increase as determined on a sample of tobacco taken from 29 the s`torage container was 10.5% (filling power of 4.20 cc/gm 3 treated versus 3.80 cc/gm for control processed in the conven-31 tional manner), .
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600 parts of a commercially sold filter blend contain-ing flue-cured, burley, oriental, and byproduct tobaccos shred-ded or cut in the factory, bu-t without finishing flavor, at a moisture of 18~2go was conveyed to the heating and ordering chute. Tobacco was treated in the conditioning chute so as to raise the temperature to 204F. to a moisture content of 24.1~.
Tobacco was conveyed in an even layer to a 3-foot wide "U"
shaped flash dryer and expanded and dried with a hot air mixture at a temperature of 400F. as measured at the plenum. The air volume was 3600 scfm using a hot, moist gas recycle ratio of 60%
return. The tobacco exited at the dryer rotary lock 14~7%
moisture and after passing over a vibrational cooler-shaker con~
veyor, had a moisture content of 13.6%. Tobacco was finally con-veyed to storage containers where it had a moisture of 13.3%.
The filling power increase as determineci on regular analysis of the samples drawn from the storage containers was 18.7~o (filling . ,~, . .
power of 4.51 cc/gm treated versus 3.80 cc/gm for control refer-ence blend processed in the conventional manner). The rate of tobacco treatment through the dryer was 2700 pounds per hour.
The filling power was measured in all the foregoing Examples using a 50 mm diameter open-top cylinder into which a -~ 20 gram sample of the tobacco is placed after being equilibrated at 60% R.H. and 80F for five days. A piston exerting a orce of 1.5 psi pressure is applied to the sample for 3 minutes and the height of the sample in the cylinder is measured and the filling capacity reported as cc/gram.
By way of illustrating the importance of the relation-~ ship between the temperature of the tobacco entering the drying ; 30 zone and the temperature of the hot gas, the following table ~
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~ 35 ~
1 ¦ shows the wa~er vapor pressure differential between the water 2 ¦ in the tobacco and that in the drying air; the drying air having 3 ¦ a dry bulb temperature of 400F., wet bulb 132F., dew point 4 ¦ 97F., and a water vapor pressure of .867 psia.
S I Vapor Pressure Vapor .
,Tobacco of Water Pressure I Temp._ in Tobacco Differential 6 I ~
7 1 140F. 2.89 psia 2.02 psia 1 180F. 7.51 psia 6.64 psia 8 1 185F. 8.3 psia 7.51 psia 9 ¦ It will be apprecia~ed that the greater the vapor pres-10 I sure differential, the more ra~id and effective the water removal 11 ¦ from the tobacco.
12 I While the invention has been described in connection 13 ¦ with a preferred embodiment,it is n~t intended to limit the 1~ ¦ inventlon to the particular form set forth, but, on the con~rary, 15 ¦ it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications and 16 equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of .
17 the invention as defined by the appended claims.
1~
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50 The generally U-shaped configuration has been determlned to be . . .
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alJ~35;~
a space savlng arrangement. Accordingly, such facilitates a 2 more efficient u~ilization of plant floor space. Of course, it will be appreciated that perforated screen 78 may be configured 4 to define other sui~ably shaped passageways.
A plurality of louvers or slots 92 are fonmed in perforated screen 78 and are arranged in an appropriate pattern 7 throughout the entire extent ~hereof. Basically, the slots 92 8 act ~o direct corresponding streams of hot gas into the tobacco 9 passageway 90 for rapidly transpor~ing the thin laminar dispersior D of ~obacco T through the dryer. The slots 92 are, pre~er-11 ably, arranged in corresponding parallel rows (not shown) wherein 12 adjacent rows have the slots 92 staggered wi~h respect to the 13 opposite rows. Through this particular ~rrangement of slots 92, 14 turbulence within passageway 90 will be minimized as the thin laminar flow of tobacco T passes therethrough. Of course, other 1~ appropriate arrangements and pat~erns of slots 9~ may also be 17 used within the spirit and scope of ~he invention so long as they 18 tend to decrease turbulence. Consequently, the shredded tobacco lg T can, in a more efficient manner, uniformly and quickly pass through the dryer housing member 76.
21 The conveyance velocity in which the hot gas 91 22 travels through the slots 92 should be at least sufficient in 23 magnitude to create a pressure drop adjacent such slots 92 in 2~ tobacco passageway 90 so as to facilitate the uniform advancemen~
of the hot gas 91 as weil as tobacco T through such passageway.
~ It will be recognized, of course, that the minimum con~eyance Z7 velocity will be selected in accordance with sound engineering 28 principles as to achieve the desired end of conveying the 29 hot-gas 91 and tobacco T through passageway 90. Preferably, S0 such conveying velocit~ should be of such a magnitude that it '. ., .' . , .~
. ~ . ., ' -................................................. r~, .. . . . .;
~ ~0'}7352 will enable the thin tobacco dispersion ~o be passed through 2 the tobacco passageway in abou~ less ~han two seconds. Although 3 the present embodiment prefers that the tobacco T be conveyed through the dryer housing member 76 in about less than about two seconds, it has been also discovered that suitably drying and expanding of tobacco T ~ay result if the tobacco is conveyed i through the dryer in a time up to about 5 seconds.
8 In ~he ~obacco passageway 90, it will be appreciated 9 that the moisture content of ~he tobacco T is lowered to approach its normal making moisture content. For most tobacco blends ll used in forming cigare~tes, such moisture level is about 12 11 to 16%. During this loss of moisture content, the filling 13 capacity of the tobacco T has been increased.
14 It is important from the standpoint of achievement of this reduction in moisture content and corresponding increase ~ apacity l~ in filling / that the dispersion o~ tobacco T be relatively 17 thin. In this particular manner, there is a greater intimacy 18 or optimization of contact of the tobac~o surfaces with the lg dry, hot air 9~.
While the precise theory for this controlled increase 21 in ~illing capacity is not ccmpletely understood, it is believed 2æ that, during the conditioningl some delamination and opening of 23 the shredded tobacco occurs. The elevation, moreover, of tobacco 24 ~empera~ure to near ~he boiling point of water permits the watPr 2~ to be rapîdly removed when the tobacco enters the drying step.
2~ This high temperature treatment coupled with ~hort ~reatment time 27 is such to cause the water vapor not only ~o assert an evapora-28 ~ive coolîng actîon, but the rapid water removal causes the ~9 water vapor leaving the tobacco struc~ure to assert a positive ~0 internal pressur- uch that the expansive effect is greater dur-., , . . -15-. . ,, .
., '' ~ ' . . ' . I' ~ ~¢~ 5 1 ing drying than for processes usually associated with conven-2 tion~l tobacco dryin~. Such action is facilitated by the intimac~
3 of contact be~ween the tobacco and dry air.
Thus, the resultant final dried tobacco shreds have ~ been expanded and opened rom compressed positions and are 8 stabilized in that state, resisting the closing back ~ ~reo 7 which would occur during cigarette manuEacture. O im~or~ance 8 is the ~act that this ~reated tobacco retains its increase in 9 filling capacity which can vary from about 5% to 25% greater than conventionally dried tobacco even during ~he handling required 11 in ~igarette manufacture.
12 Moreover, since the tobacco T enters the drying member 76 in thin dispersions D and travels quickly therethrough~ there 14 is a diminished tendency for the tobacco to experi.ence mechani-cal abuse.
1~ Although the most desirable condition would be to have 17 a cons~ant flow rate of tobacco it should be pointed out that 18 this dryer is more adaptable to varying flow rates than conven-lg tional drying equipment. Take-away conveyor 56 is modulated in speed either in step fashion or proportionally to accommodate 21 the varying input rate and the wet bulb of the drying air modu-22 lated by p-oportional water conditioning such that ~he drying effect is the same for varying ra~es. In other words, the in-24 herent disadvantages of the first lot of tobacco into a dryer and th~ last to come ou~, as well as the normal interruptions in 2~ flow, can be instantly compensated for.
27 More effective drying is obtained i means are pro-2 vided for creating turbulence of the gas stream and rapid accel-29 eration of the gas relativs to the tobacco surfaces immediately3 ater ~hey exit rom the dryer 76. As depicted in FIGURES 1 ~ . ' ,' ' . .
~ -~6-: '' . ' '. .
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1 and 3, accelerating m~ans 94 is defined by an air-tight venturi 2 member which has a generally triangular shape in cross-secLion.
~f course, other ~ypes of configurations are conceivabl~ and 4 usable. Venturi member 94 is positioned within an outlet duct ~ 97 for the drying member 76 so that a relatively narrow space 8 95 exists between its apex and ~he inner wall of duct 97. For 7 example, if the duct 97 has a width of about six inches, a ven-8 turi member which defines a two~inch space 95 between i~ and the 9 duct 97 will achieve the desired acceleration required. The foregoing dimensions were given for purposes of illustration and 11 should not be considered limiting in any respect. It will also 12 be understood that other means for increasing the acceleration 13 or velocity, such as an orifice or a contraction in the exit 14 duct, can be used in place of the ~enturi.
1~ Essen~ially, the venturi member 94 significantly 1~ accelerates the hot air 91 so that it increases or boosts velo-17 city of such hot gas stream relative to the thin tobacco stream ~8 D. It is believed that such a rapid increase in velocity creates 19 a turbulence whereby the ho~ gas 91 tends to wipe moisture from ,20 the surfaces o~ the shredded tobacco T. It is believed such 21 moisture has formed on the surface of the tobacco T as a result 22 of the rapid vaporizing which occurs through the intimate con-æ3 tact of the hot air 91 and of tobacco T in the tobacco passage-24 way 90. Since such intimacy of contact remains between the 25 heated air 91 and ~hin dispersion D of tobacco T, this wiping 28 action will better be able to remove such moisture. By wiping 27 the tobacco surface, it is believed tha~ the removal of moisture 28 and puffing o~ tobacco T are able to be more satisfactorily com-29 pletedO It should be recognized that the foregoing explanation is theoretical and represents what the inventors at present .~, . ' , ' . ,- ', " ' .
., , ,. . , - I .
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1 believe occurs. H~wever, it i5 known that by having ~he venturi 2 member 94 positioned in the manner indicated, the significant 3 expansion of applicants' invention is achieved..
4 . In connection with the separating means 74, it is best depicted in FIGURES l to 3. As illustrated, separating means 74 includes a standard type of centrifugal device 96 and an appro-7 priate separating air lock means 98~ Inlet and outlet ducts 100 8 and 102 are connected to the centrifugal separating device 96.
9 Centrifugal separating device 96 is constructed o conventional commercially available components and, ~herefore, a detailed ll description of its construction is not deemed necessary since it ..
æ does not ~orm an aspect of the invention. To basically under-13 stand the operation thereof, however, it will be understood that, 14 as the admixture of expanded or puffed tobacco T and hot drying 15 air 91 exit past the venturi member 94 and enter inlet duct 100~ ;
l~ inlet duct 100 directs.the thin stream D of puffed or expanded 17 tobacco T and hot gas 91 to the separating device 96. In a 18 well-known fashionj the hot air 91 and tobacco T are separated .
in such a manner that the tobacco T, under the influence of.
20 gravity, descends outlet duct 102 while the air exits through .
21 opening 106. The heated air 91 ~hich is directed out~ardly 22 from the centrifugal separating device 96 through opening 106 23 may be appropriately recycled in whole or in part for repeated 24 use as the.drying air 91 in the flash dryer device 76. Air lock 25 means 98 may be defined by a s~andard rotary air lock device .
26 which essentially functions to discharge amounts of the expanded 27 tobacco ~ onto an output conveyor 108. Conveyor 108 will advance 28 the expanded ~obacco T to an appropriate station for further processing such as cooling and flavoring.
SO In view of the foregoing description, the operation of . . ., .
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l apparatus 10 is believed evident. To supplement such description~
however, it will be understood that the tobacco T, in shredded form, is conveyed by the first conveying mechanism 24 to the treating mea~s 18. Treating means 18 elevates the temperature of ~he tobacco T to above about 130F~, and elevates the mois-ture content of such ~obacco to above about 15%. The heating and moisturizing operations are performed for a time sufficient 8 to permit cut tobacco T to open from its compressed condition.
g After discharge from treating means 18, the tobacco T drops onto the conveying mechanism 26 Expanding means 14 is operatively ll connected to said treating means 18 for rapidly lowering the 12 moisture content of the thin dispersions D of tobacco T to about 13 its making mois~ure within about 5 seconds such that the tobacco 14 has achieved an expanded and opened condition which resists the closing back thereof.
1~ FIGURE 4 is a detailed sectional view of spray manifold 1 17 means 110 used to introduce moisture, if desired, back into the 18 tobacco. Such means include a spray head 112 attached to duct lg 100 so a~ to spray water onto the tobacco material and gas stream as it passes through duct 100. A tube 114 is provided to supply 21 water to the spray head and drain 116 and drain piping 118 are so ~2 located on manifold 110 so as to remove any excess water that is 23 not absorbed by the tobacco but which accumulates at the bottom 24 of the manifold.
, The expanded tobacco is then cooled by any suitable means, as by a current of ambient air, and the tobacco may then 27 be appropriately flavored and the expanded total blend used t~
28 form cigar ttes or the treated blend may itself be ~lended with non-treatea tobacco to form cigarettes, and the like. Of importance is the fact that this txeated tobacco retains its ' 19 .' . ''" ,'. ','.
. , , , , . .
. , . - ;. :- ~ ' ~ ' ' ' , . '; .: , :
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1 increase in filling capacity which can vary from about 5 to 2 25% greater than untreated tobacco product wikh no more tha~
the usual loss of filling power during the handling requir d 4 in cigarette manufacture.
~hile the precise theory for this controlled incr;ease ~ in filling capacity is not completely understood, it i~ believed r that during the conditioning some delamination and opening of 8 the shredded tobacco occurs along wi~h some possible swelling of g the shreds. The elevation, moreover, of tobacco temperature to near the boiling point of water permits the water to be rapidly 11 removed when the tobacco enters the drying step. This high 12 temperature treatment coupled with short treatment time is such to cause the water vapor pressure to elevate thus causing rapid ~ water removal and in so doing exerts a positive internal pres-15 sure such that the expansive eff~ct is greater during drying 1B than for processes usually associated with conventional tobacco 17 drying.
18 Thus, the dried tobacco with increased filling capacity ~9 which results from expansion and opening, is stabilized in that s~ate, resisting the closing back thereo.
21 The invention will be further described in connection 22 with the following examples which are set forth for purposes of 2S illustration only and in which all proportions are by weigh~
X~ unless expressly sta~ed to the con~rary.
~5 EXAMPLE 1 ., 2~ 2500 parts o~ a commercially sold filter menthol cig-27 arette blend containing flue-cured, burley, oriental, and by-28 product tobaccos in the orm of tobacco strip and without finish-29 ing ~lavor or menthol were cut or shredded with Molins cutter.
Moisture after cutting was 19.9%. The cut tobacco was conveyed . ' ' .
. .
. _. .
3~ 2 through appropriate conveying system through a metering chute ~o 2 a condiLioning chute. Moisture and temperature of the tobacco 3 was adjusted with steam so that the tobacco leaving the chute 4 was at a moisture content of 22.4% and a temperature of 185F.
The conditioned tobacco was conveyed in an even thickness stream using motor driven doffers above an inclined conveyor to the en-tranceo a flash dryer six feet wide. The gas in this system as 8 measured in the plenum was at a temperature of 400F. and the 9 air volume was at 7,300 scfm. The tobacco leaving the dropout of the dryer had a moisture of 13~4%o On further conveying and 11 ambient drying, the tobacco moisture was 13.1% and the filling 12 capacity and ~s used herein synonymously therewith "filling 13 power"increase above a control shredded sample of tobacco pro-14 cessed in an ADT dryer was 18.5% ~4.86 cc/gm filling power of15 treate~ sam?le to 4.10 cc/gm for an untreated sample). Tobacco l~ was processed in this system a~ a rate of feed of approximately 17 5500 pounds per hour using a hot,moist gas recycle ratio of 56%.
18 The tobacco was conveyed through a flavoring drum for application of finishing flavor and menthol. The filling power increase after this additional step showed an increase above the control 2~ of 15.1% (4.71 cc/gm treated versus 4.10 cc/gm control).
22 Cigare~tes manufactured from the treated experimental tobacco were made at weigh~s of 109.5 cigarettes`per four ounces 2~ and these compared favorably with control cigarettes made with 2~ conventionally processed tobacco a~ heavier weights of 107.5 26 cigarettes per four ounces as far as physical properties and 27 smoke composition. Thus, eight cigarettes more per pound of ~8 tobacco could be manu~actured using tobacco treated in accordance 29 with the present inventlon.
. . . ' . _ , .
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2 300 parts of a commercially sold non-filter blend con-3 ~aining a mixture of flue~cured, burley, oriental and byproduct 4 tobacco shredded in the fac~ory, but without finishing flavor and at a moisture of 17.9% was conveyed to a heating and ordering chute. The tobacco was treated in the conditioning chute so as 7 to raise the temperature to 190F. and the moisture to 22.3%.
8 Tobacco was conveyed in an even layer to a 3-foo~ wide "U"
9 shaped flash dryer and expanded and dried wi~h a hot air mix~ure 10 at a temperature of 350F. as measured at the plenum. The air 11 volume was 3600 scfm using a hot,moist gas recycle ratlo of 60%
12 return. The tobacco came out the dryer rotary lock dropout at at 16.4% moisture and, after passing over a vibrationaL cooler-shaker conveyor, had a moisture of 15.2%. Tobacco was finally conveyed to storage containers where it had a mois~ure o 15.1%.
1~ The filling power increase as determined on regular analysis of 17 the sample drawn from the s~orage container was 7.9% (filling 18 power of 4.10 cc/gm treated versus 3.80 cc/gm for con~rol refer-}g ence blend processed in the conventional manner). The rate of tobacco trea~ment through the dryer was 2750 pounds per hour.
22 The experiment of Example 2 was repeated, except that 23 a drying temperature of 400F. was used. Mois~ure of the ~4 tobacco a~ter the heating and ordering chute was 23.5%, out the dryer at the rotary lock dropout moisture was 16.5%, after the ~ vibrational cooler-shaker moisture was 14.7%, and finally at the storage container moisture was determined at 14.2%. The filling 2 power increase as determined on a sample of tobacco taken from 29 the s`torage container was 10.5% (filling power of 4.20 cc/gm 3 treated versus 3.80 cc/gm for control processed in the conven-31 tional manner), .
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600 parts of a commercially sold filter blend contain-ing flue-cured, burley, oriental, and byproduct tobaccos shred-ded or cut in the factory, bu-t without finishing flavor, at a moisture of 18~2go was conveyed to the heating and ordering chute. Tobacco was treated in the conditioning chute so as to raise the temperature to 204F. to a moisture content of 24.1~.
Tobacco was conveyed in an even layer to a 3-foot wide "U"
shaped flash dryer and expanded and dried with a hot air mixture at a temperature of 400F. as measured at the plenum. The air volume was 3600 scfm using a hot, moist gas recycle ratio of 60%
return. The tobacco exited at the dryer rotary lock 14~7%
moisture and after passing over a vibrational cooler-shaker con~
veyor, had a moisture content of 13.6%. Tobacco was finally con-veyed to storage containers where it had a moisture of 13.3%.
The filling power increase as determineci on regular analysis of the samples drawn from the storage containers was 18.7~o (filling . ,~, . .
power of 4.51 cc/gm treated versus 3.80 cc/gm for control refer-ence blend processed in the conventional manner). The rate of tobacco treatment through the dryer was 2700 pounds per hour.
The filling power was measured in all the foregoing Examples using a 50 mm diameter open-top cylinder into which a -~ 20 gram sample of the tobacco is placed after being equilibrated at 60% R.H. and 80F for five days. A piston exerting a orce of 1.5 psi pressure is applied to the sample for 3 minutes and the height of the sample in the cylinder is measured and the filling capacity reported as cc/gram.
By way of illustrating the importance of the relation-~ ship between the temperature of the tobacco entering the drying ; 30 zone and the temperature of the hot gas, the following table ~
.` '.
~ 35 ~
1 ¦ shows the wa~er vapor pressure differential between the water 2 ¦ in the tobacco and that in the drying air; the drying air having 3 ¦ a dry bulb temperature of 400F., wet bulb 132F., dew point 4 ¦ 97F., and a water vapor pressure of .867 psia.
S I Vapor Pressure Vapor .
,Tobacco of Water Pressure I Temp._ in Tobacco Differential 6 I ~
7 1 140F. 2.89 psia 2.02 psia 1 180F. 7.51 psia 6.64 psia 8 1 185F. 8.3 psia 7.51 psia 9 ¦ It will be apprecia~ed that the greater the vapor pres-10 I sure differential, the more ra~id and effective the water removal 11 ¦ from the tobacco.
12 I While the invention has been described in connection 13 ¦ with a preferred embodiment,it is n~t intended to limit the 1~ ¦ inventlon to the particular form set forth, but, on the con~rary, 15 ¦ it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications and 16 equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of .
17 the invention as defined by the appended claims.
1~
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Claims (26)
1. Apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of cut tobacco material comprising first means for elevating the temperature of the tobacco to above about 130°F and moisture content of the tobacco such that the heating and moisturizing are performed for a time sufficient to permit cut tobacco to open from its compressed condition, means for forming a relatively thin dispersion of the opened tobacco in a gas, and means operatively connected to said first means for rapidly lowering the moisture content of the thin dispersion of tobacco as the tobacco is maintained in the thin disper-sion in a generally laminar gas flow to about its making moisture within about five seconds such that the tobacco has achieved an expanded and opened condition which resists the closing back thereof.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first means elevates the temperature of the tobacco to above about 130°F
and below about the temperature at which the tobacco becomes charred or discolored, and wherein said lowering means conveys a hot, relatively dry gas to reduce the mois-ture content of the tobacco and an expanding means for increasing the relative velocity of the air to the tobacco to wipe moisture from the tobacco surface.
and below about the temperature at which the tobacco becomes charred or discolored, and wherein said lowering means conveys a hot, relatively dry gas to reduce the mois-ture content of the tobacco and an expanding means for increasing the relative velocity of the air to the tobacco to wipe moisture from the tobacco surface.
3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said first means elevates the moisture content to about between 15 to 35%.
4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said first means elevates the temperature of the tobacco from about above 130°F to about below the temperature at which the tobacco becomes charred or discolored.
5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said first means uses a hot, relatively dry gas to rapidly reduce the moisture content of the tobacco.
6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said hot gas is heated to about between 300°F to 600°F.
7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said hot gas reduces the moisture content of the tobacco in about less than about two seconds.
8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 in which said hot gas has a water vapor pressure value which is significant-ly below the water vapor pressure within the conditioned tobacco.
9. Apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of a total blend of cut tobacco comprising conditioning means for at least elevating the temperature of the cut tobacco to about above 130°F and below about the temperature at which the tobacco will be charred or discolored, and for elevating the moisture content of the tobacco to between about 15 to 35%, such that said heating and moisturizing are performed for a time sufficient to permit the cut tobacco to open from its compressed condition, means for forming the heated and moisturized tobacco into a relatively thin dispersion in a gas, and expanding means for rapidly reducing the moisture content of the tobacco to about its making moisture in a relatively dry hot gas medium which intimately contacts the surfaces of said thin dispersion of tobacco as the tobacco is maintained in the thin dispersion in a generally laminar gas flow, said hot gas medium having a temperature of from about 300°F to 600°F and serves to reduce the moisture con-tent of the tobacco within about five seconds such that the filling capacity of the tobacco has increased and the closing back of the opening is resisted.
10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which said hot gas medium has a water vapor pressure significantly below the water vapor pressure within the tobacco.
11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which said conditioning means elevates the temperature of the tobacco to about 190°F.
12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which said expanding means conveys said stream of tobacco in a generally laminar gas flow therethrough in about less than about two seconds.
13. Apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of a total blend of cut tobacco comprising treating means for treating the cut tobacco by elevating the temperature of the cut tobacco to above about 130°F and below about the tempera-ture at which the tobacco will be charred or discolored, and for elevating the moisture content of the tobacco to between about 15 to 35% such that said heating and moisturizing are performed for a time sufficient to permit cut tobacco to open from its compressed condition; conveying means operatively connected to said treating means and including a first mechanism which delivers cut tobacco to said treating means and a second mechanism which conveys the treated open tobacco discharged from said treating means in successions of relatively thin layers of treated tobacco, means for forming the heated and moisturized tobacco into a relatively thin dispersion in a gas, and expanding means including drying means operatively connected to said forming means for receiving the thin dispersions of tobacco and for enabling rapid reduction in the moisture content of the tobacco by conveying the thin dispersions of tobacco therethrough with a hot, relatively dry gas medium which intimately contacts the surfaces of the tobacco within a period of about 5 seconds as the tobacco is maintained in the thin dispersion in a generally laminar gas flow, said hot gas medium being heated to about between 300°F and 600°F and having a water vapor pressure value which is lower than the water vapor pressure within the treated tobacco, said expanding means also including means for increasing the velocity of said hot gas relative to the tobacco dispersed therein as said hot gas and said tobacco exit from said drying means such that the tobacco opens and expands to the extent that its filling capacity is increased.
14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said expanding means includes separating means for separating said hot gas from said expanded and opened tobacco.
15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 in which said separating means includes air lock means for successively dispensing separated tobacco to a conveyor or the like.
16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said treating means elevates the temperature of the tobacco to about 190°F.
17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said drying means conveys said thin dispersion of tobacco and said hot gas in a generally laminar flow to adjacent an exit of said dryer means in about less than about two seconds.
18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said velocity increasing means is comprised of a venturi member positioned in an outlet duct for said drying means.
19. Apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of a total blend of cut tobacco comprising in combination, a first conveying means, a heating, ordering, and metering chute connected adjacent an end of said first conveying means for receiving the discharged cut tobacco and for elevating the temperature of the tobacco from about above 130°F to below . .
about the temperature at which the tobacco will be charred or discolored and the moisture content of the tobacco to between about 15 to 35%, such that said heating and moisturiz-ing are performed for a time period which is sufficient to permit cut tobacco to open from its compressed condition, a second conveying means adjustably connected to and adjacent a discharge end of said heating, ordering, and metering chute for receiving the treated tobacco and conveying successions of thin layers of tobacco from said ordering chute, drying means being connected to said second conveying means for receiving the layer of tobacco from said second conveying means and forming it into a thin dispersion in a gas, said drying means conveying said dispersion of tobacco therethrough within about less than 5 seconds with a relatively dry hot gas heated to about between 300°F to 600°F as the tobacco is maintained in the thin dispersion in a generally laminar gas flow, said hot gas having a water vapor pressure level which is substantially below the water vapor pressure of the water within the treated tobacco, a venturi member positioned within an outlet for said drying means for increasing the velocity of the hot gas with respect to the thin dispersion of tobacco such that said drying means and venturi member increases the filling capacity of the tobacco, and separating means con-nected to said drying means for separating the tobacco from said hot gas such that the tobacco can be subsequently discharged.
about the temperature at which the tobacco will be charred or discolored and the moisture content of the tobacco to between about 15 to 35%, such that said heating and moisturiz-ing are performed for a time period which is sufficient to permit cut tobacco to open from its compressed condition, a second conveying means adjustably connected to and adjacent a discharge end of said heating, ordering, and metering chute for receiving the treated tobacco and conveying successions of thin layers of tobacco from said ordering chute, drying means being connected to said second conveying means for receiving the layer of tobacco from said second conveying means and forming it into a thin dispersion in a gas, said drying means conveying said dispersion of tobacco therethrough within about less than 5 seconds with a relatively dry hot gas heated to about between 300°F to 600°F as the tobacco is maintained in the thin dispersion in a generally laminar gas flow, said hot gas having a water vapor pressure level which is substantially below the water vapor pressure of the water within the treated tobacco, a venturi member positioned within an outlet for said drying means for increasing the velocity of the hot gas with respect to the thin dispersion of tobacco such that said drying means and venturi member increases the filling capacity of the tobacco, and separating means con-nected to said drying means for separating the tobacco from said hot gas such that the tobacco can be subsequently discharged.
20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 19 including means to introduce moisture into the tobacco and gas after it has been dried and before it has been separated from said hot gas, thereby permitting variations as well as interruptions in flow rate of tobacco.
21. The process of increasing the filling capacity of shredded tobacco comprising the steps of first conditioning the tobacco so that its temperature is at least about 130°F
to 250°F and its moisture content from about 15% to 35%
promptly followed by drying the thus conditioned tobacco with a hot gas while the tobacco is in the form of a substantially thin laminar dispersion in the gas at a temperature such that the moisture content of the tobacco will be lowered within about 5 seconds to a moisture content of about 11% to 16%.
to 250°F and its moisture content from about 15% to 35%
promptly followed by drying the thus conditioned tobacco with a hot gas while the tobacco is in the form of a substantially thin laminar dispersion in the gas at a temperature such that the moisture content of the tobacco will be lowered within about 5 seconds to a moisture content of about 11% to 16%.
22. The process of claim 21 wherein the conditioning temperature is about 190°F and the moisture content above about 20%.
23. The process of claim 21 wherein the drying tempera-ture is from about 300° to 600°F.
24. The process of claim 23 wherein -the hot, gas drying time is no more than about 2 seconds.
25. The process of increasing the filling capacity of shredded total blend tobacco comprising the steps of first conditioning the blend by raising its temperature to about 180°F to 200°F and its moisture content to above about 22 to 26% promptly followed by drying the thus conditioned tobacco at a temperature of 300°F to 600°F to a moisture content of about 11 to 16% in a period of less than 5 seconds with a hot gas while the blend is in the form of a thin laminar dispersion about 1 inch thick in the gas.
26. The process of claim 25 including the step of disrupting the laminar flow near the end of the drying to form a highly turbulent flow prior to separating the tobacco from the drying gas.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/610,740 US4044780A (en) | 1975-09-05 | 1975-09-05 | Apparatus for total blend expansion |
| US05/610,736 US4040431A (en) | 1975-09-05 | 1975-09-05 | Method of increasing the filling capacity of shredded tobacco tissue |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1047352A true CA1047352A (en) | 1979-01-30 |
Family
ID=27086339
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA259,048A Expired CA1047352A (en) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-08-13 | Method and apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of shredded tobacco tissue |
Country Status (13)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5264496A (en) |
| AR (1) | AR214401A1 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR7605866A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1047352A (en) |
| DD (1) | DD126882A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2637124A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES451193A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2322556A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1559507A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1070306B (en) |
| NL (1) | NL7609276A (en) |
| RO (1) | RO82318B (en) |
| SE (1) | SE7609608L (en) |
Families Citing this family (19)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1604024A (en) * | 1977-09-03 | 1981-12-02 | Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg | Method and apparatus for increasing the filling property of fibres of tobacco or another smokable material |
| US4167191A (en) * | 1977-09-27 | 1979-09-11 | Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation | Tobacco drying process |
| US4202357A (en) * | 1978-10-27 | 1980-05-13 | Philip Morris Incorporated | Reordering expanded tobacco by water mist |
| CA1163520A (en) * | 1980-05-01 | 1984-03-13 | Roger Z. De La Burde | Process for expansion of tobacco |
| US4333482A (en) * | 1980-07-22 | 1982-06-08 | Philip Morris Incorporated | Process for increasing filling power of reconstituted tobacco |
| DE3037885C2 (en) * | 1980-10-07 | 1988-03-03 | Tamag Basel AG, 4127 Birsfelden | Process for increasing the volume of shredded tobacco stems and apparatus for carrying out the process |
| DE3147846C2 (en) * | 1981-09-05 | 1984-07-19 | B.A.T. Cigaretten-Fabriken Gmbh, 2000 Hamburg | Process for improving the filling capacity of tobacco material |
| EP0078352B1 (en) * | 1981-10-30 | 1986-06-18 | Philip Morris Incorporated | Process for expanding cut tobacco |
| US4407306A (en) * | 1981-12-17 | 1983-10-04 | American Brands, Inc. | Method for expanding tobacco with steam at high temperature and velocity |
| DE3412797A1 (en) * | 1983-04-23 | 1984-10-25 | Hauni-Werke Körber & Co KG, 2050 Hamburg | Method and apparatus for the puffing of tobacco |
| GB2155302B (en) * | 1984-03-13 | 1988-04-20 | Korea Ginseng & Tobacco Res | Process for expanding tobacco leaves and apparatus therefor |
| DE3409908A1 (en) * | 1984-03-17 | 1985-09-26 | Korea Ginseng & Tobacco Research Institute, Daejun | Method and apparatus for expanding tobacco leaves |
| GB8822574D0 (en) * | 1988-09-26 | 1988-11-02 | Gbe International Plc | Vibratory steaming conveyor |
| DE3839529C1 (en) * | 1988-11-23 | 1990-04-12 | Comas S.P.A., Silea, Treviso, It | |
| CH683226A5 (en) * | 1991-12-09 | 1994-02-15 | Egri Laszlo | Expanding and drying tobacco. |
| GB9322967D0 (en) * | 1993-11-08 | 1994-01-05 | Gbe International Plc | A process and apparatus for treating a hygroscopic material |
| JP2015077071A (en) * | 2012-01-31 | 2015-04-23 | 日本たばこ産業株式会社 | Method of reducing nicotine in tobacco raw material and tobacco product |
| EP2952105B1 (en) * | 2013-02-04 | 2019-08-14 | Japan Tobacco Inc. | Expanding method of tobacco raw material and expanding system of the same |
| CN103723484B (en) * | 2014-01-21 | 2016-08-17 | 龙岩烟草工业有限责任公司 | Cut tobacco moisture regain system |
-
1976
- 1976-08-13 CA CA259,048A patent/CA1047352A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-08-18 DE DE19762637124 patent/DE2637124A1/en active Pending
- 1976-08-20 NL NL7609276A patent/NL7609276A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1976-08-26 GB GB35434/76A patent/GB1559507A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-08-31 SE SE7609608A patent/SE7609608L/en unknown
- 1976-09-02 RO RO87429A patent/RO82318B/en unknown
- 1976-09-03 IT IT69154/76A patent/IT1070306B/en active
- 1976-09-03 DD DD194623A patent/DD126882A5/xx unknown
- 1976-09-03 ES ES451193A patent/ES451193A1/en not_active Expired
- 1976-09-03 BR BR7605866A patent/BR7605866A/en unknown
- 1976-09-03 JP JP51105073A patent/JPS5264496A/en active Pending
- 1976-09-03 FR FR7626554A patent/FR2322556A1/en active Granted
- 1976-09-06 AR AR264596A patent/AR214401A1/en active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2322556A1 (en) | 1977-04-01 |
| SE7609608L (en) | 1977-03-06 |
| ES451193A1 (en) | 1977-08-16 |
| AR214401A1 (en) | 1979-06-15 |
| BR7605866A (en) | 1977-08-16 |
| DE2637124A1 (en) | 1977-03-17 |
| DD126882A5 (en) | 1977-08-17 |
| NL7609276A (en) | 1977-03-08 |
| RO82318A (en) | 1984-04-02 |
| FR2322556B3 (en) | 1979-05-25 |
| RO82318B (en) | 1984-04-30 |
| JPS5264496A (en) | 1977-05-27 |
| IT1070306B (en) | 1985-03-29 |
| GB1559507A (en) | 1980-01-23 |
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