EP2952105B1 - Expanding method of tobacco raw material and expanding system of the same - Google Patents

Expanding method of tobacco raw material and expanding system of the same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2952105B1
EP2952105B1 EP13873179.9A EP13873179A EP2952105B1 EP 2952105 B1 EP2952105 B1 EP 2952105B1 EP 13873179 A EP13873179 A EP 13873179A EP 2952105 B1 EP2952105 B1 EP 2952105B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
raw material
tobacco raw
swelled
heat
temperature
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.)
Active
Application number
EP13873179.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2952105A1 (en
EP2952105A4 (en
Inventor
Manabu Nishimura
Hiromi Uematsu
Hisashi Otaka
Tomohiko Yoshioka
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.)
Japan Tobacco Inc
Original Assignee
Japan Tobacco Inc
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 Japan Tobacco Inc filed Critical Japan Tobacco Inc
Publication of EP2952105A1 publication Critical patent/EP2952105A1/en
Publication of EP2952105A4 publication Critical patent/EP2952105A4/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2952105B1 publication Critical patent/EP2952105B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an expanding method of volumetrically expanding a tobacco raw material using steam, and an expanding system of the same.
  • volumetrically expanded tobacco raw materials are contained in cigarettes.
  • Volumetrically expanded tobacco raw materials are obtained in such a manner that tobacco raw materials are brought into contact with steam so as to form swelled tobacco raw materials, and thereafter, the swelled tobacco raw materials are rapidly dried through flush drying into the volumetrically expanded tobacco raw materials (see Patent Document 1, for example).
  • Swelling of tobacco raw materials volumetrically expands the tobacco raw materials, and drying of the swelled tobacco raw materials further volumetrically expands the tobacco raw materials.
  • the expanding method disclosed in the above Patent Document volumetrically expands the tobacco raw material in two stages.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an expanding method of a tobacco raw material and an expanding system of the same that are capable of volumetrically expanding the tobacco raw material in an effective manner without excessively increasing energy consumption required for drying processing.
  • an expanding method of a tobacco raw material of the present invention includes: a swelling step of bringing the tobacco raw material into contact with first steam so as to swell the tobacco raw material into a swelled tobacco raw material; a drying step of drying the swelled tobacco raw material through flush drying that brings the swelled tobacco raw material into contact with second steam; and a heat-dissipating step of allowing the swelled tobacco raw material to dissipate heat thereof between the swelling step and the drying step.
  • the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material is decreased prior to carrying out the drying step.
  • a difference in temperature between the dew point temperature of the second steam and the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material is increased. Due to this difference in temperature, at the initial stage of the drying step, when the swelled tobacco raw material is brought into contact with the second steam, the second steam is partially cooled and condensed down to its dew point temperature. Accordingly, water and heat generated by the condensation of the second steam enhances softness of tissues of the swelled tobacco raw material.
  • the present invention also provides an expanding system of a tobacco raw material that carries out and corresponds to the aforementioned expanding method.
  • the swelled tobacco raw material becomes wet with condensed water of the second steam, and the temperature of the material, that is the material temperature, rises, as described above, thus enhancing softness of the swelled tobacco raw material.
  • the drying step that is, the volumetrically expanding processing of the swelled tobacco raw material without increasing energy consumption required for the drying step, thereby attaining high bulkiness of the volumetrically expanded tobacco raw material obtained in this drying step.
  • an expanding system of volumetrically expanding a tobacco raw material will be described hereinafter, and an expanding method of volumetrically expanding a tobacco raw material in one embodiment of the present invention will be naturally apparent in accordance with the following description.
  • the expanding system includes a swelling apparatus 10, and this swelling apparatus 10 may be formed by a cyclone, for example.
  • the swelling apparatus 10 includes an inlet 12, an exhaust port 14, and a discharge port 16 respectively in a side surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface of the swelling apparatus 10.
  • a steam passage 18 extends from the inlet 12, and this steam passage 18 is connected to a steam source 20.
  • the steam source 20 generates saturated steam as first steam, and this saturated steam is supplied via the steam passage 18 to the swelling apparatus 10.
  • a temperature, a pressure, and a flow rate of the saturated steam in the steam passage 18 are, for example, 100 to 105°C, atmospheric pressure, and 110 kg/h, respectively.
  • a feed-in passage 22 branches from the steam passage 18. This feed-in passage 22 extends upward to be connected via an air locker 26 to a feed-in port 24 of a tobacco raw material.
  • the tobacco raw material is obtained from veins, that is, midribs of tobacco leaves. Specifically, the tobacco material is obtained by moisture-conditioning, rolling, and shredding midribs into a particle state.
  • the aforementioned tobacco raw material contains moisture of 36wt%, and fed from the feed-in port 24 via the air locker 26 into the steam passage 18. Thereafter, the tobacco raw material is supplied together with saturated steam to the swelling apparatus 10. Hence, the tobacco raw material comes into contact with the saturated steam in the steam passage 18 and the swelling apparatus 10, and the tobacco raw material takes in moisture and heat from the saturated steam to be swelled into a swelled tobacco raw material (swelling step, volumetrically expanding processing at the first stage).
  • a processing rate of the tobacco raw material is 300 kg/h
  • a time period required to swell the tobacco raw material is, for example, approximately 0.5 to 2 seconds
  • the swelled tobacco raw material contains moisture of 40wt%.
  • the saturated steam used for swelling the tobacco raw material may be discharged as a heating medium for a single use, but in the light of economic efficiency, it is preferable to reuse the saturated steam by returning the saturated steam from the exhaust port 14 of the swelling apparatus 10 via a return passage 27 into the steam source 20, as shown in FIG. 1 . Meanwhile, the swelled tobacco raw material is discharged from the discharge port 16 of the swelling apparatus 10 into a discharge passage 28.
  • the discharge passage 28 is connected via an air locker 30 to an inlet 34 of a heat-dissipating apparatus 32.
  • the heat-dissipating apparatus 32 allows the swelled tobacco raw material supplied from the inlet 34 thereof to dissipate heat, thereby decreasing a temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material (heat-dissipating step). Specifically, in the heat-dissipating apparatus 32, the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material is decreased down to a temperature lower than a dew point temperature (100°C) under an atmospheric pressure of the saturated steam and the superheated steam, for example, down to an expansion starting temperature (to be specific, approximately a room temperature) defined based on an environment temperature where the swelling system is installed or around the environment temperature. In this heat-dissipating step, the moisture of the swelled tobacco raw material is reduced merely from 40wt% to approximately 38wt%.
  • the heat-dissipating apparatus 32 will be described in detail later.
  • the heat-dissipating apparatus 32 further includes an outlet 36, and this outlet 36 is connected to a feed-in passage 38.
  • the feed-in passage 38 is connected via an air locker 40 to a drying passage 42.
  • the heat-dissipating apparatus 32 discharges the swelled tobacco raw material from the outlet 36, and the discharged swelled tobacco raw material is fed through a feed-in passage 38 and the air locker 40 into the drying passage 42.
  • the drying passage 42 connects a heating medium source 44 and an inlet 47 of a flush dryer 46 as a drying apparatus.
  • the heating medium source 44 generates superheated steam as second steam, for example, and supplies this superheated steam toward the flush dryer 46.
  • This superheated steam has a temperature Th of 160 to 280°C, for example, which is higher than a temperature of the saturated steam flowing through the steam passage 18.
  • the superheated steam has a flow rate of 30 m/s, for example.
  • the swelled tobacco raw material in a state of having amount of moisture of approximately 38wt% and an expansion starting temperature sufficiently lower than the dew point temperature of the superheated steam, is fed into the drying passage 42 and supplied together with the superheated steam toward the flush dryer 46. Accordingly, the swelled tobacco raw material is brought into contact with the superheated steam in the drying passage 42 and the flush dryer 46, thereby rapidly heating and volumetrically expanding the swelled tobacco raw material through condensing heat transfer of the superheated steam.
  • the superheated steam coming into contact with the fed swelled tobacco raw material is partially cooled and condensed down to its dew point temperature by the swelled tobacco raw material.
  • the surface of the swelled tobacco raw material becomes wet with water generated by the condensation of the superheated steam (dew point temperature is 100°C), and thus the tissues of the swelled tobacco raw material become softer, and the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material rapidly increases to the dew point temperature of the superheated steam at the same time.
  • the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material gradually increases from the dew point temperature by receiving heat supply from the superheated steam, through which the swelled tobacco raw material is dried.
  • Such a drying process rapidly evaporates the moisture contained in the swelled tobacco raw material; thus the inner pressure of the swelled tobacco raw material increases, which volumetrically expands the swelled tobacco raw material once again (drying step, volumetrically expanding processing at the second stage). At this point, the manufacturing of the volumetrically expanded tobacco raw material is completed.
  • the condensation of the superheated steam while the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material is increased from the expansion starting temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material to the dew point temperature (100°C) of the superheated steam enhances softness of the swelled tobacco raw material, and the softness of the swelled tobacco raw material at this stage becomes an important factor for volumetrically expanding the swelled tobacco raw material in an effective manner.
  • a cyclone is also used for the flush dryer 46.
  • the superheated steam used for drying and volumetrically expanding the swelled tobacco raw material is returned from a discharge port 48 of the flush dryer 46 via a return passage 50 to the heating medium source 44, and meanwhile the volumetrically expanded tobacco raw material is discharged from an discharge port 52 of the flush dryer 46 via an air locker 54 to a discharge passage 56.
  • the volumetrically expanded tobacco raw material is used, as one of filling materials for cigarettes, for manufacturing the cigarettes.
  • the filling materials include cut tobacco obtained by shredding leaves of tobacco.
  • FIG. 2 shows Example 1 of the above described heat-dissipating apparatus 32.
  • the heat-dissipating apparatus 32 includes a vibratory conveyer 58 as a conveyance passage, and the vibratory conveyer 58 has a start end 60 and a terminal end 62.
  • the start end 60 is disposed immediately below the inlet 34 of the heat-dissipating apparatus 32, and the terminal end 62 is disposed adjacent to the outlet 36 of the heat-dissipating apparatus 32.
  • the vibratory conveyer 58 as above configured receives at the start end 60 the swelled tobacco raw material discharged from the swelling apparatus 10, conveys continuously or intermittently the received swelled tobacco raw material toward the terminal end 62, and discharges the swelled tobacco raw material from the terminal end 62 to the outlet 36 (conveyance process).
  • a time period required to convey the swelled tobacco raw material from the start end 60 to the terminal end 62 of the vibratory conveyer 58 is equal to a time period required to decrease the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material at the time of being discharged from the swelling apparatus 10 down to the aforementioned expansion starting temperature.
  • the heat-dissipating apparatus 32 in Example 2 may further include a blower 64.
  • the blower 64 has a blower head 66 in a pipe shape, and this blower head 66 is disposed above the vibratory conveyer 58, for example, in a manner as to extend along the vibratory conveyer 58.
  • the blower head 66 includes a number of nozzle ports 68 arranged with intervals therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the blower head 66, and is connected to an air conditioner 70, for example.
  • the air conditioner 70 supplies conditioned air as coolant toward the blower head 66, and this conditioned air has a temperature equal to or lower than the aforementioned expansion starting temperature.
  • Example 2 during the continuous conveyance of the swelled tobacco raw material on the vibratory conveyer 58, the blower head 66 injects the above conditioned air from the nozzle ports 68 toward the swelled tobacco raw material on the vibratory conveyer 58 (air-blowing process), thereby allowing the swelled tobacco raw material to forcibly dissipate its heat.
  • the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material rapidly decreases to the expansion starting temperature, which enables significant reduction in length required for the vibratory conveyer 58.
  • the above injection of the conditioned air may be carried out in a state in which the conveyance of the swelled tobacco raw material is temporarily stopped. Accordingly, the present invention may propose the heat-dissipating apparatus 32 as Example 3.
  • the vibratory conveyer 58 extends through a heat-dissipating chamber 72.
  • the heat-dissipating chamber 72 includes the aforementioned air conditioner 70 as the blower, and this air conditioner 70 supplies conditioned air having a temperature equal to or lower than the expansion starting temperature into the heat-dissipating chamber 72 so as to keep the temperature in the heat-dissipating chamber 72 constant.
  • the swelled tobacco raw material on the vibratory conveyer 58 is allowed to temporarily stay in the heat-dissipating chamber 72, and wait on the vibratory conveyer 58 until the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material is decreased down to the expansion starting temperature.
  • every heat-dissipating apparatus 32 in the aforementioned Example 1 to Example 3 may include a thermometer 74 for confirming whether or not the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material is decreased down to the expansion starting temperature.
  • the thermometer 74 is disposed at a portion of the feed-in passage 38 between the heat-dissipating apparatus 32 and the air locker 40, and measures a temperature T ST of the swelled tobacco raw material discharged from the heat-dissipating apparatus 32.
  • a temperature Te of the swelled tobacco raw material at this time is set as the expansion starting temperature.
  • thermometer 74 it is possible to adjust the conveyance speed of the swelled tobacco raw material by the aforementioned vibratory conveyer 58, and the performance of the air conditioner 70 based on the measurement results from the thermometer 74, thus accurately adjusting the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material to the expansion starting temperature.
  • the drying passage 42 is also provided with a thermometer 76, and this thermometer 76 is disposed in the vicinity of the inlet 47 of the flush dryer 46, and measures a temperature of the superheated steam flowing into the flush dryer 46.
  • a thermometer 76 it is possible to adjust operation of the heating medium source 44 based on the measurement results from the thermometer 76, thereby maintaining the temperature of the superheated steam to be supplied to the flush dryer 46 at a desired temperature.
  • T ST of the swelled tobacco raw material if Ti represents the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material at the inlet 34 of the heat-dissipating apparatus 32, Te represents the temperature of the swelled tobacco raw material at the outlet 36, that is, the aforementioned expansion starting temperature, and Td represents the dew point temperature of the superheated steam, every heat-dissipating apparatus 32 in Example 1 to Example 3 is configured, as shown in FIG.
  • the heat-dissipating apparatus 32 conveys the swelled tobacco raw material received at the inlet 34 toward the outlet 36 while allowing the swelled tobacco raw material to dissipate its heat; and during this process, the temperature T ST of the swelled tobacco raw material is decreased from Ti to Te in a manner as to maximize a difference in temperature ⁇ T between the dew point temperature Td and the expansion starting temperature Te.
  • the temperature T ST of the swelled tobacco raw material is controlled by the expansion starting temperature Te, thereby keeping the bulkiness of the volumetrically expanded tobacco raw material constant. This significantly contributes to stabilization of cigarette quality.
  • the temperature Th of the superheated steam can be decreased. In this case, it is possible to reduce energy consumption of the heating medium source 44.
  • a graph in FIG. 4 shows a relation between amount of moisture and bulkiness of the volumetrically expanded tobacco raw material obtained from each of rots E1, E2, C1, and C2 of the swelled tobacco raw material, using the expansion starting temperature Te and the temperature Th of the superheated steam as parameters.
  • Table 1 shows the expansion starting temperature Te and the temperature Th of the superheated steam for each of E1, E2, C1, and C2 of the swelled tobacco raw material.
  • Te (°C) Th (°C) ROT E1 27 to 28 190 ROT E2 28 to 29 220
  • ROT C1 62 to 64 190 ROT C2 69 to 76 220
  • a cyclone-type mechanism is employed in both the swelling apparatus 10 and the flush dryer 46, but a mechanism other than the cyclone-type mechanism may also be employed.
  • the conveyance passage of the heat-dissipating apparatus 32 may be embodied by using a conveyance mechanism other than the vibratory conveyer 58.
  • the expanding system separately includes the steam source 20 and the heating medium source 44, but the steam source 20 and the heating medium source 44 may be integrated into one source so as to supply the saturated steam and the superheated steam from the common heating medium source.

Landscapes

  • Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
EP13873179.9A 2013-02-04 2013-02-04 Expanding method of tobacco raw material and expanding system of the same Active EP2952105B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2013/052490 WO2014118988A1 (ja) 2013-02-04 2013-02-04 たばこ原料の膨化方法及びその膨化システム

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2952105A1 EP2952105A1 (en) 2015-12-09
EP2952105A4 EP2952105A4 (en) 2016-09-21
EP2952105B1 true EP2952105B1 (en) 2019-08-14

Family

ID=51261730

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP13873179.9A Active EP2952105B1 (en) 2013-02-04 2013-02-04 Expanding method of tobacco raw material and expanding system of the same

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2952105B1 (ja)
CN (1) CN104968222B (ja)
RU (1) RU2613578C2 (ja)
UA (1) UA114447C2 (ja)
WO (1) WO2014118988A1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105476055B (zh) * 2015-12-22 2017-08-08 河南中烟工业有限责任公司 一种提高松散回潮出口含水率稳定性的方法

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3978867A (en) * 1971-01-27 1976-09-07 Hauni-Werke Korber & Co., Kg Apparatus for increasing the volume of moist tobacco
SU384513A1 (ru) * 1971-05-03 1973-05-29 Способ сушки табачных листьев
CA1047352A (en) * 1975-09-05 1979-01-30 Eugene Glock Method and apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of shredded tobacco tissue
US4418706A (en) * 1981-09-21 1983-12-06 Office Of Monopoly Method for expanding tobacco and apparatus therefor
JPS6070058A (ja) * 1983-09-26 1985-04-20 日本たばこ産業株式会社 たばこ中骨刻の膨化処理方法
JP3140039B2 (ja) * 1990-11-07 2001-03-05 日本たばこ産業株式会社 たばこ原料の気流乾燥方法およびその装置
CN1059552C (zh) * 1995-10-19 2000-12-20 帝国烟草有限公司 一种处理烟草的方法
JP3165791B2 (ja) * 1997-03-27 2001-05-14 日本たばこ産業株式会社 膨化たばこ材料の製造方法
CN2465486Y (zh) * 2001-01-18 2001-12-19 常州市智思机械制造有限公司 叶丝高速膨化干燥机
US7556047B2 (en) * 2003-03-20 2009-07-07 R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Method of expanding tobacco using steam
CN101773290B (zh) * 2010-02-04 2012-09-26 江苏智思机械集团有限公司 以低压蒸汽为介质的烟梗膨胀方法和设备
JP5948316B2 (ja) 2011-03-31 2016-07-06 日本たばこ産業株式会社 たばこ原料の膨化方法およびその装置
CN102715646B (zh) * 2012-06-29 2014-06-18 陕西科技大学 一种膨化烟梗丝的方法

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2613578C2 (ru) 2017-03-17
CN104968222B (zh) 2017-05-17
RU2015137711A (ru) 2017-03-15
WO2014118988A1 (ja) 2014-08-07
CN104968222A (zh) 2015-10-07
UA114447C2 (uk) 2017-06-12
EP2952105A1 (en) 2015-12-09
EP2952105A4 (en) 2016-09-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8287786B2 (en) Method of cooling extrusions by circulating gas
EP2692247B1 (en) Tobacco material expansion method and device
US9332772B2 (en) Method and device for drying goods
CN101396168B (zh) 提高有机植物材料的膨胀和干燥处理效率的方法和供给器
US20020033182A1 (en) Method and device for conditioning comminuted tobacco material
EP2952105B1 (en) Expanding method of tobacco raw material and expanding system of the same
JP4131103B2 (ja) ハニカム成形体の製造方法及び乾燥装置
US4583559A (en) Reordering of tobacco
KR101237340B1 (ko) 공기압축장치를 이용한 고함수 물질 건조시스템 및 그 건조시스템을 이용한 건조방법
JP2942235B2 (ja) セラミック成形体の乾燥方法
JP5490499B2 (ja) 単板の乾燥補助装置
CN106333380A (zh) 一种烟丝快速定型干燥方法
JP2017090032A5 (ja)
EP2573261B1 (en) Drying arrangement and method for drying a moving web
CZ128498A3 (cs) Způsob hydrotermálního vytvrzování a sušení tvarových těles pojených hydrátem křemičitanu vápenatého a zařízení pro provádění způsobu
JP6275498B2 (ja) 乾燥米の製造方法、及び、米用乾燥機
EP3058298B1 (en) Drying apparatus and method of drying material
JPS58114906A (ja) セラミツク材料より成る製品の製造方法および製造装置
JP6742094B2 (ja) 澱粉を含有する製品を膨張させるための方法および装置
JP2011021778A (ja) ヒートポンプユニットと昇温装置とを具えた乾燥システム
KR20130059548A (ko) 홍삼 제조용 고진공건조장치
JP2004101001A (ja) 塗装用乾燥炉及び乾燥方法
JP2005047100A (ja) 木材乾燥方法及び乾燥装置
WO2020120471A1 (en) Timber drying process
CN217803194U (zh) 一种多层共挤热收缩膜挤出装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20150715

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
A4 Supplementary search report drawn up and despatched

Effective date: 20160819

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: A24B 3/04 20060101AFI20160812BHEP

Ipc: A24B 3/18 20060101ALI20160812BHEP

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20190318

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1165963

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190815

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602013059319

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20190814

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191216

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191114

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191114

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1165963

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20190814

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191115

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20191214

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200224

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602013059319

Country of ref document: DE

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG2D Information on lapse in contracting state deleted

Ref country code: IS

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20200603

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20200204

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20200229

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200204

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200229

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200229

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200204

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200229

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200204

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200229

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20190814

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230530

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240219

Year of fee payment: 12