GB1324121A - Method and apparatus for conditioning tobacco - Google Patents

Abstract

1324121 Conditioning tobacco RESEARCH CORP 2 Oct 1970 [15 Oct 1969] 46955/70 Heading A2C Tobacco is turgor conditioned to expand it by establishing a high vacuum around tobacco to remove air and water vapour from within the cells and intercellular spaces of the tobacco, supplying liquid water to the evacuated tobacco in amount effective to completely cover and surround the tobacco, and raising the ambient pressure (e.g. to atmospheric pressure) to drive the water rapidly into the cells and intercellular spaces of the tobacco. The tobacco is then freeze dried as described in Specification 1193557. A batch apparatus for turgor conditioning shredded tobacco is illustrates and includes an open-topped container, a perforated hold down screen for placing on top of the tobacco to prevent it floating in the container, connections through the cap to water and vacuum sources, and a connection to a valved vent to atmosphere through one side of the container near to its top. An automatic apparatus, which is also illustrated, provides for the automatic filling of a succession of containers with a weighted amount of tobacco and the transport in succession of the filled containers to a conditioning station where they are each closed in turn by a vacuum cap. The vacuum cap is raised and lowered electromagnetically, and includes: a hold down screen spacedly mounted to its underside; and valved connections to a vacuum supply, a metered water supply and to atmosphere, the valves being automatically actuated in the required sequence by an electric timer.