GB440482A - Improvements in and relating to the preparation of cut tobacco - Google Patents

Abstract

440,482. Preparation of tobacco. PODMORE, A., 58, Holborn Viaduct, London. May 26, 1934, No. 15760. [Classes 34 (i) and 34 (ii)] [See also Group VI] In the preparation of tobacco for the manufacture of cigarettes, the tobacco leaves are cut by means of an intermeshing-disc cutting- machine, then conveyed through a drying chamber by conveying means located within the chamber, and dried by circulation of dry or predried air through the chamber. In the construction shown in Fig. 1, a cutting device comprising intermeshing rotary cutting- discs 3, 4 is provided for cutting tobacco before its entry into a chamber 6. Dry air is circulated through the chamber, the air preferably being heated by heating appliances 7 near the entry 8. The air may also be heated during its passage through the chamber. The cutting machine may be of the type described in Specifications 430,766, [Group I], and 435,571, [Group VIII]. A series of endless conveyers 9, 10, 11, 12, and 17 is mounted in the chamber so that the tobacco entering at 5 is fed from one conveyer to another. The drying air directed by baffles 16 flows in countercurrent to the travel of the tobacco. Paddle wheels 13 are provided at the delivery end of the conveyers 9, 10 for the purpose of projecting the heavy mid-rib portions of the tobacco into compartments 14. Paddle wheels 15 are also provided in association with the conveyers 11, 12 to open out and turn over the tobacco. The outlet 18 may be provided with two flap valves 19, 20, each adapted to open under a predetermined weight of tobacco, so that escape of drying air is avoided. Hygrometers 21 and thermometers 22 may be provided to indicate the humidity and temperature conditions prevailing. Automatic means operating in accordance with the moisture content of the tobacco may be provided for controlling the speed of travel of the conveyers, the temperature of the chamber and the volume of dry air passing through the chamber. The conveyers may comprise perforated bands through which the drying air may percolate. The air delivered to the drying chamber may be dehydrated by the arrangement shown in Fig. 2. Air, cooled and filtered, is adapted, under the control of valves 24, to flow through dehydrating chambers 23<a> ... 23<e> to a pipe line 26 and thence to the drying chamber. The dehydrating chambers are filled with substance such as silica gel. Pipe lines 30 are provided whereby two or more chambers may be used in series. Reactivating air may be passed to the chambers 23<a> &c. by way of heater 31, filter 32, and pipe line 33, under the control of valves 34, moisture-laden air flowing to exhaust by outlets 35, under control of valves 36.