EP1758472A4 - Procede et dispositif destines au reassouplissement du tabac gonfle - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif destines au reassouplissement du tabac gonfle

Info

Publication number
EP1758472A4
EP1758472A4 EP05757402A EP05757402A EP1758472A4 EP 1758472 A4 EP1758472 A4 EP 1758472A4 EP 05757402 A EP05757402 A EP 05757402A EP 05757402 A EP05757402 A EP 05757402A EP 1758472 A4 EP1758472 A4 EP 1758472A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tobacco
expanded tobacco
air stream
expanded
conveyor
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05757402A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1758472A2 (fr
Inventor
Joseph Casrell Douglas
Dale Alan Halverstadt
Dave Robertson Smart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lorillard Licensing Co LLC
Original Assignee
Lorillard Licensing Co LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lorillard Licensing Co LLC filed Critical Lorillard Licensing Co LLC
Publication of EP1758472A2 publication Critical patent/EP1758472A2/fr
Publication of EP1758472A4 publication Critical patent/EP1758472A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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
    • A24B3/04—Humidifying or drying tobacco bunches or cut tobacco
    • 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
    • A24B3/185—Puffing by impregnating with a liquid and subsequently freezing and evaporating this liquid

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process for reordering tobacco, and in particular to a process for reordering cut tobacco filler after carbon dioxide expansion. [0003] The filling power of cut tobacco filler is frequently increased prior to incorporation into cigarettes.
  • this increase in filling power is achieved by impregnating the filler with an impregnant followed by subjecting the filler to conditions under which the impregnant is rapidly transformed into a gaseous state, thereby expanding or "puffing" the cellular structure of the filler.
  • tobacco cut filler is sealed in a pressure vessel, which is pressurized to from about 300 to about 500 psi.
  • Liquid carbon dioxide is introduced into the vessel to impregnate the cut filler then drained under pressure.
  • the vessel is then depressurized to convert the liquid CO 2 to solid CO 2 resulting in a frozen mass of tobacco cut filler and solid CO 2 , or dry ice.
  • This mass which may be first subdivided into pieces, is introduced into a sublimator or expansion zone in which the mass is subjected to a high temperature of about 400°F to about 700°F, resulting in rapid conversion of the solid CO 2 to gaseous CO 2 and the expansion of the tobacco filler.
  • Tobacco discharged from the sublimator normally has a temperature of from about 180°F to 250°F and typically about 200°F.
  • the moisture content of the expanded filler is about 2-6% wt., or less, making the tobacco filler very fragile and susceptible to shattering.
  • the moisture content of the filler is increased, normally to about 12-14% wt.
  • the dry filler is cooled to ambient temperature, typically about 80°F, before being subjected to a high moisture content environment.
  • the tobacco can be tumbled in a rotating cylinder while being treated with steam or a fine spray of water.
  • Conventional expanded tobacco reordering processes have had two major disadvantages. First, in some processes, considerable time is required to increase the moisture content from the 2% or so level to the desired 12-14% level.
  • the tobacco is conveyed along the belt dryer through the different humidity zones in which humidified air at a temperature of 75°F to 95°F is blown downwardly onto, or upwardly through, the tobacco.
  • the moisture content of the expanded tobacco is gradually increased as the expanded tobacco equilibrates with the prevailing humidity of each humidity zone.
  • the expanded tobacco is subjected to a series of increasing humidity zones until the moisture content of the expanded tobacco is gradually ramped up to the desired moisture content level. Total time required to ramp the moisture content of the expanded tobacco to the desired 12- 14% level is from 30 to 90 minutes. Tobacco reordered in this manner is said to have no statistically significant loss of filling power as determined by standard analysis of variance procedure.
  • a bed of cut tobacco filler that has been expanded by the dry ice expansion process, or DIET process is initially humidified before significant cooling, i.e., when the expanded tobacco is between about 180°F and about 212°F, by blowing air having a temperature of 80-91°F and about 58 to about 88% RH through the tobacco bed.
  • the humidified air is blown through the tobacco bed for about 6 up to about 20 minutes.
  • the tobacco bed has a thickness of from about 0.10 to about 20 inches.
  • the hot, expanded tobacco filler may be discharged directly from the sublimator onto a moving belt conveyor, which may be air permeable, or onto a vibrating conveyor, to carry the filler through a humidity zone in which air is blown down onto, or up through, the tobacco on the conveyor.
  • the expanded tobacco Upon being discharged from the sublimator, the expanded tobacco typically has an elevated temperature of between about 180°F and about 250°F.
  • the expanded tobacco on the conveyor has a temperature of at least 180°F, and preferably between about 180°F and about 212°F, when first contacted with the humidified air. The operation of the conveyor is adjusted so that any given part of the tobacco remains within the humidity zone for about 6 to about 20 minutes.
  • the tobacco stays in the humidity zone for about 11 minutes.
  • uniform humidity of the air is maintained across the zone.
  • Air velocity is normally in the range of from about 10 CFM to about 120 CFM per sq. ft. of bed, and preferably in the range of from about 90 CFM to about 120 CFM per sq. ft. of bed.
  • specific air velocities within these ranges may be desirable.
  • the air velocity is preferably about 110 CFM per sq. ft. of bed.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention also provides an apparatus for expanding and reordering tobacco.
  • a tobacco expander has an expansion zone to expose tobacco impregnated with an impregnant to heat to sublimate the impregnant from the tobacco to cause tobacco expansion, resulting in expanded tobacco having an elevated temperature of between about 180°F and about 250°F.
  • a reordering zone downstream of the expansion zone is close enough to the discharge outlet of the expansion zone so that the expanded, elevated temperature tobacco remains at an elevated temperature of between about 180°F and about 212°F when it reaches the reordering zone.
  • the reordering zone includes a blower to blow humidified air through the expanded, elevated temperature tobacco in the reordering zone.
  • the expanded tobacco may be discharged from the sublimator and transported in an enclosed heated conveyor to a reordering zone.
  • the enclosed conveyor is externally heated to maintain the elevated temperature of the tobacco between about 180°F and about 212°F until it is reaches the reordering zone.
  • the conveyor may be belted or vibratory.
  • the reordering zone includes a blower to blow humidified air through the expanded, elevated temperature tobacco.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention provides reordered expanded tobacco with a filling value of about 750 cc/lOOgm, a 10-19% improvement over conventional processes.
  • the present invention also provides a process and apparatus for preventing the propagation of fire in the expanded tobacco bed after it is discharged from the sublimator.
  • the bed of expanded tobacco and any hot embers discharged from the expansion chamber are fluidized by the high velocity humidified air stream blown through the conveyor carrying the tobacco bed. Since the expanded tobacco fibers and any hot embers from the expansion zone are rapidly mixed in the fluidized bed, fire propagation is eliminated because the hot embers have little if any contact with the tobacco fibers, and are quickly consumed by their own fire.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus used to practice the present process.
  • FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of corrected filling values obtained at various combinations of relative humidity and temperature.
  • the present invention relates to a process and apparatus for reordering cut tobacco after it has been subjected to an expansion process to increase the filling power of the tobacco.
  • a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the general schematic shown in Figure 1.
  • filler tobacco having a cut-width of 32 cuts per inch is impregnated with liquid CO 2 in a pressurized vessel 10.
  • the CO 2 impregnated tobacco containing approximately 23% moisture and 11% carbon dioxide, is heated in a sublimator 12 using air and steam heated to a temperature of 343°C (640°F) to convert the CO 2 from its solid state to a gaseous state, thereby expanding the tobacco.
  • carbon dioxide is currently preferred by the tobacco industry as the change of state medium, other materials have been used and it is expected that the reordering process described herein is useful for them, as well.
  • the expanded tobacco having a temperature upon exiting sublimator 12 of from about 180°F to about 250°F, is then discharged through rotary lock 14 of sublimator 12 directly onto the entrance end 18 of a l x l2 foot vibratory conveyor 16.
  • Other sizes of vibratory conveyors can be used.
  • the expanded tobacco forms a tobacco bed on the vibratory conveyor 16 having a depth of between about 0.10 inch and about 20 inches, and preferably about 9 inches.
  • air having a relative humidity of about 78% and a temperature ranging from about 80°F to about 91°F is then blown upwardly through the screened bottom of vibratory conveyor 16 at a rate of between about 10 and 120 CFM per sq. ft.
  • the tobacco bed is initially contacted by the humidified air stream when it is at an elevated temperature of from about 180°F to about 212°F.
  • the tobacco is levitated and reordered by the warm moist air, with the mechanical action of vibratory conveyor 16 carrying the tobacco from the entrance end 18 to the discharge end 20 of conveyor 16 over a period of from about 6 to about 20 minutes preferably about 11 minutes.
  • the expanded tobacco will decrease from an elevated temperature of between about 180°F and about 212°F to an ambient temperature of about 90°F after several minutes of continuous contact with air having a relative humidity of 78% and a temperature of about 90°F.
  • the applicants have unexpectedly found that the expanded tobacco at elevated temperatures ranging from about 180°F to about 212°F will quickly gain moisture when contacted with humified air.
  • the moisture content of expanded tobacco at temperatures between about 180°F to about 212°F will increase by about 3% to 5% wt. almost immediately after being contacted with air having a relative humidity of 78% and a temperature of 90°F.
  • the moisture content of the expanded tobacco will continue to increase as the tobacco is further contacted by the humidified air and the temperature of the expanded tobacco decreases to ambient temperature of about 90°F.
  • the tobacco is caused to move to the discharge end 20 of conveyor 16 due to the fluidization of the bed, coupled with vibration of conveyor 16. As the depth of tobacco builds at the entrance end 18, gravity evens out the bed depth by moving the tobacco towards the discharge end 20. This may be aided by sloping the conveyor 16 downwardly from entrance end 18 to discharge end 20. Retention time and bed depth can be varied and controlled using dams, weirs, and other devices on the bed surface.
  • a Sartorius Basic balance was used to determine each moisture tin's tare weight . The moisture tin identifications and weights were recorded.
  • a Model 5000 Specific Volume Electronic Readout Unit was used for the filling value measurements. The procedure used was documented in SOP: QAS-MC-44 "Filling Value of Cut Tobacco-QA.” This machine requires 30-minutes to warm-up, and its accuracy is verified against a set of standards before each use. The expanded tobacco samples were mixed to achieve a homogeneous mixture.
  • a Mettler P1200 balance was used to determine each sample's weight before its filling value was measured. The weight of each sample, and the filling value -measurement were recorded. The tobacco used for each filling value measurement was placed into two moisture-tins, and the tins were weighed. The moisture-tin weights and tobacco identification were recorded.
  • TTW Theoretical Tobacco Weight
  • ATW Actual Tobacco Weight
  • UFV Uncorrected Filling Value
  • CFV Corrected Filling Value
  • AM Actual Moisture
  • the weight corrected filling value was further adjusted based on the tobacco's moisture content.
  • a Moisture Correction Curve was generated from filling value analyses of the same tobaccos having various moisture contents. For example, filling value analyses of six to eight tobacco samples distributed across a moisture range of 10 to 16% would be sufficient to generate a Moisture Correction Curve. The two axes of this curve would consist of Moisture (%) plotted against the Corrected Filling Value (cc/lOOg). The slope of the Moisture Correction Curve would then be used in conjunction with the actual moisture content to calculate the Corrected Filling Value (weight and moisture corrected).
  • the data indicates the preferred temperature for the reordering process is between about 80°F and 91°F, with tobacco showing signs of collapsing and resultant loss of filling value at temperatures higher than this range.
  • the relative humidity should be within the range of from about 73% to about 88% more preferably about 78%.
  • a lower relative humidity e.g., as low as about 58%, can be used, but with a corresponding increase in residence time being required, because the pickup of moisture into the tobacco is slower at lower relative humidity.
  • the samples tested were found to have average moisture content of 14.06% and a corrected fill value (CFV) of 758.2 cc/lOOg.
  • the present invention provides a process and related apparatus that is effective in rapidly reordering tobacco with a reduction in the loss of filling power normally associated with expanded tobacco reordering processes.
  • the advantages of the invention is the ability to have faster throughput, thereby reducing inventory costs and providing better control over the inventory, so that it can better suit just in time manufacturing schedules.
  • Conveyor 16 may comprise a vibratory conveyor or a moving belt conveyor. However, other configurations that keep the tobacco above about 80°F, and more preferably between about 180°F and about 212°F, during transport from the lock to the source of humidifying air without causing its collapse may also be used.
  • the expanded tobacco may be discharged from the sublimator into an enclosed heated conveyor (not shown) for delivery to the reordering zone.
  • the enclosed conveyor is externally heated to maintain the elevated temperature of the tobacco between about 180°F and about 212°F until it is reaches the reordering zone.
  • the enclosed heated conveyor may be belted or vibratory.
  • the present process and apparatus also prevents the propagation of fire in the expanded tobacco bed after it is discharged from the sublimator. Specifically, the high velocity humidified air stream blown through the conveyor carrying the tobacco bed forms a fluidized bed of tobacco. Any hot embers discharged from the sublimator with the expanded tobacco are rapidly mixed in the fluidized bed of tobacco. Due to the high activity of the fluidized bed, fire propagation is eliminated because the embers have little, if any, contact with the tobacco. The embers quickly extinguish as they are consumed by their own fire.
  • humidified air refers to humidified air, but it will be appreciated that other humidified gases such as humidified CO 2 or nitrogen may also work well in the practice of the invention, and should be considered as falling within the definition of "humidifying air” as used herein.

Landscapes

  • Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé destiné au réassouplissement du tabac gonflé, consistant à imprégner le tabac sous pression avec du gaz carbonique liquide, pour former une masse congelée de tabac et de gaz carbonique, puis à chauffer la masse congelée dans une zone d'expansion pour sublimer le gaz carbonique et, ainsi, gonfler le tabac. Le tabac gonflé est d'abord évacué de la zone d'expansion puis, avant que la température du tabac gonflé ne soit inférieure à 80 °F environ, et de préférence, lorsque le tabac gonflé est à une température élevée comprise entre 180 °F et 212 °F environ, le tabac est mis en contact avec de l'air d'humidification à une température comprise entre 80 °F et 91 °F environ et à une humidité relative comprise entre 58 % et 88 % environ.
EP05757402A 2004-06-04 2005-06-03 Procede et dispositif destines au reassouplissement du tabac gonfle Withdrawn EP1758472A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/861,173 US20040216756A1 (en) 2002-06-04 2004-06-04 Process and apparatus for reordering expanded tobacco
PCT/US2005/019659 WO2005117618A2 (fr) 2004-06-04 2005-06-03 Procede et dispositif destines au reassouplissement du tabac gonfle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1758472A2 EP1758472A2 (fr) 2007-03-07
EP1758472A4 true EP1758472A4 (fr) 2008-03-26

Family

ID=35463285

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05757402A Withdrawn EP1758472A4 (fr) 2004-06-04 2005-06-03 Procede et dispositif destines au reassouplissement du tabac gonfle

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20040216756A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1758472A4 (fr)
WO (1) WO2005117618A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106983172A (zh) * 2017-04-24 2017-07-28 江苏密斯欧智能科技有限公司 一种烟草丝线智能制造的方法

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4089666A (en) * 1976-06-25 1978-05-16 Philip Morris Incorporated Method for control of air relative humidity with reduced energy usage
US4202357A (en) * 1978-10-27 1980-05-13 Philip Morris Incorporated Reordering expanded tobacco by water mist
GB1570270A (en) * 1977-08-08 1980-06-25 Philip Morris Inc Process for expanding tobacco
EP1369047A2 (fr) * 2002-06-04 2003-12-10 Lorillard Licensing Company, LLC Procédé et dispositif de réhumidification du tabac expansé

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4102349A (en) * 1976-07-15 1978-07-25 Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation Method and apparatus for moisturizing tobacco stems
GB8501959D0 (en) * 1985-01-25 1985-02-27 British American Tobacco Co Treatment of tobacco
US5095923A (en) * 1991-04-11 1992-03-17 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Tobacco expansion process using 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane
US5383479A (en) * 1992-10-30 1995-01-24 Philip Morris Incorporated Process for adjusting the moisture content of tobacco

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4089666A (en) * 1976-06-25 1978-05-16 Philip Morris Incorporated Method for control of air relative humidity with reduced energy usage
GB1570270A (en) * 1977-08-08 1980-06-25 Philip Morris Inc Process for expanding tobacco
US4202357A (en) * 1978-10-27 1980-05-13 Philip Morris Incorporated Reordering expanded tobacco by water mist
EP1369047A2 (fr) * 2002-06-04 2003-12-10 Lorillard Licensing Company, LLC Procédé et dispositif de réhumidification du tabac expansé

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20040216756A1 (en) 2004-11-04
EP1758472A2 (fr) 2007-03-07
WO2005117618A2 (fr) 2005-12-15
WO2005117618A3 (fr) 2007-05-10

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