JPH07177869A - Rotary cylinder type humidity controller for shred tobacco - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a rotary cylinder type humidity controller for shred tobacco enabling the time for humidification to be shortened and the humidification to be uniformized. CONSTITUTION:This rotary cylinder type humidify controller comprises a humidity-controlling cylinder 18 rotating in one direction where the humidity- controlled air is allowed to flow through its peripheral walls, louver-like stirring blades 52 for stirring the accumulated layer of shred tobacco provided on the inner surface of the cylinder 18, and aerating blades set in the spaces between the adjacent stirring blades 52. The humidity-controlled air passes through the aeration blades at a speed V1 higher than the flying speed of the shred tobacco, and then slows down to the speed V2 lower than the flying speed and passes through the accumulated layer of shred tobacco.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rotary cylinder type humidity controller for adjusting the moisture content of puffed tobacco.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The expansion process of cut tobacco can be carried out, for example, by the expansion device disclosed in JP-A-1-104152. This known expansion device, first, after impregnating and adsorbing the expansion aid into the shredded tobacco in the contracted state,
By heating this with an air flow dryer, the tissue of the cut tobacco is expanded by the vaporizing expansion force of the expansion aid, and the cut tobacco is dried to almost dry state and the expanded state is fixed. .

The swelling-processed chopped tobacco in the completely dried state is finally swelled after the moisture content is adjusted to about 12% WB (equilibrium moisture at a temperature of 20 ° C. and a relative humidity of 60%). Not blended with regular cut tobacco and used in the manufacture of cigarettes. When the chopped tobacco that has been subjected to the expansion treatment is blended and used, the taste of the cigarette can be alleviated and the raw material cost of the cigarette can be reduced.

Various humidity control devices are used to control the humidity of cut tobacco. The first humidity control device is the one described in JP-A-1-10.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4152, the humidity is controlled by spraying water from a nozzle toward the cut tobacco. The second humidity controller, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-21304, adjusts the temperature and humidity of the air in the humidity chamber to adsorb the moisture in the air into the cut tobacco.
The humidity is controlled.

The third humidity controller is provided with a net conveyor for conveying cut tobacco, and the humidity is controlled by blowing humidity-controlled air onto the cut tobacco on the net conveyor.

[0006]

According to the first humidity controller described above, there is an advantage that the humidity of the cut tobacco can be adjusted in a short time because the water is sprayed, and the humidity controller can be miniaturized.
However, in this case, the adhered water droplets on the cut tobacco causes the cut tobacco after expansion to shrink, thereby reducing the effect of reducing the raw material, which is the original purpose of the expansion treatment.

In the case of the second humidity controller, although there is no problem as in the case of the first humidity controller, it takes a long time to control the humidity, and it is necessary to control a large amount of cut tobacco. Since a large humidity control chamber is required, this not only increases the installation space but also the cost required for air conditioning in the humidity control chamber, that is, the running cost required for the humidity control.

In the case of the third humidity controller, compared to the second humidity controller, since the humidity-controlled air is blown toward the cut tobacco, the humidity-conditioning time is shortened and the humidity controller is small in size. However, since the flow of conditioned air is unidirectional,
The humidity control of the cut tobacco on the net conveyor becomes uneven, and the water content of the cut tobacco after the humidity control cannot be made uniform. For this reason, the taste and quality of the cigarette are significantly reduced.

The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object thereof is to shorten the humidity control time and make the humidity control uniform, and also reduce the running cost. It is to provide a rotary cylinder type humidity controller for cut tobacco.

[0010]

A rotary cylinder type humidity controller according to the present invention is provided with a hollow humidity control cylinder which is arranged laterally, allows air to flow through a peripheral wall thereof, and receives and accumulates expanded tobacco cut tobacco. A driving means for rotating the humidity control cylinder and a louver which is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the humidity control cylinder with a space in the circumferential direction and agitates the accumulated layer of cut tobacco in the humidity control cylinder as the humidity control cylinder rotates. -Shaped stirring plate and a ventilation plate that is provided so as to close the passages formed between the stirring plates and through which air can flow, and a stack of cut tobacco from the lower side of the humidity control cylinder through the peripheral wall and the ventilation plate. The air circulation system that introduces air to the air circulation system and circulates the air through the humidity control cylinder, and the temperature and humidity of the air flowing through this air circulation system are controlled to control the humidity. Controlling the flow rate of the conditioned air that is introduced through the ventilation plate into the humidity control cylinder and the generation means that generates air, and the passage speed of the conditioned air when passing through the ventilation plate is equal to or higher than the floating speed of the cut tobacco. On the other hand, there is provided flow rate control means for controlling the post-passage flow velocity of the humidity-controlled air, which has passed through the ventilation plate, toward the deposited layer of cut tobacco, to be equal to or lower than the floating velocity.

More specifically, the flow rate control means is formed so as to be distributed over the entire surface of the ventilation plate and the flow rate control valve inserted in the air circulation system, and is between the passage flow velocity and the post passage flow velocity. And a large number of apertures that give the flow velocity difference. Preferably, the flow velocity of the conditioned air after passing is set to 0.2 to 0.5 m / s, the peripheral speed of the conditioned cylinder is set to 0.2 to 1.0 m / s, respectively. Is at room temperature
90 ° C. and its relative humidity is set to 60 to 80%.

[0012]

According to the rotary cylinder type humidity controller described above, the cut tobacco supplied into the humidity controlling cylinder is agitated by the stirring plate as the humidity controlling cylinder rotates.
In this state, the conditioned air supplied by the air circulation system passes through the ventilation plates between the stirring plates at a speed higher than the floating speed of the tobacco and is introduced into the humidity control cylinder. After being decelerated to a slower flow velocity, it passes through the accumulated layer of cut tobacco in the humidity control cylinder to control the humidity of the cut tobacco.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the appearance of a rotary cylinder type humidity controller for cut tobacco is schematically shown. This humidity controller is provided with a rectangular base 10.
Are supported by a pair of front and rear support legs 12 and 14.
Between the front end of the base 10 and the pair of support legs 12, the pivot 1
Therefore, the base 1 can be rotated in the vertical direction about the pivot 16, so that the inclination angle of the base 1 with respect to the horizontal plane can be adjusted. In this case, the base 10 has a rear edge of about 2 mm.
It is inclined.

A humidity control cylinder 18 is arranged on the base 10, and the humidity control cylinder 18 extends from the front edge side of the base 10 toward the rear edge side thereof. The humidity control cylinder 18 is covered with a heating jacket 20, and both ends thereof are projected from the heating jacket 20. Tires 22 are attached to the outer peripheral surfaces of both ends of the humidity control cylinder 18, and the humidity control cylinder 18 is supported on a pair of rolls 24 and 26 via the tires 22. These rolls 24 and 26 are rotatably arranged on the base 10.

A pair of rolls 24 located on the front end side of the base 10 are drive rolls, and a drive sprocket 28 is coaxially attached to each of the drive rolls 24. On the other hand, the electric motor 3 is mounted on the base 10.
0 is fixed, and a pair of output sprockets 32 are attached to the output shaft of the electric motor 30. A drive chain 34 is respectively wound around the output sprocket 32 and the corresponding drive sprocket 28, and when the electric motor 30 is driven, the pair of drive rolls 24 rotate in synchronization with each other. Thereby, the humidity control cylinder 18 is rotated in one direction. The power transmission path from the electric motor 30 to the drive roll 24 described above constitutes a drive means of the humidity control cylinder 18.

A charging port 36 is provided on the front end wall of the humidity control cylinder 18.
Is provided, and the input port 36 is connected to the rotary valve of the expansion device described above, though not shown. Therefore, the cut tobacco, which has undergone the expansion process by the expansion device and is in a substantially dry state, is introduced into the inlet 36 through the rotary valve, and then supplied into the humidity control cylinder 18 from the inlet 36.

On the other hand, the rear end wall of the humidity control cylinder 18 is provided with a discharge port 38, and although not shown below the discharge port 38, a chopped tobacco conveyor is arranged and the conveyor is controlled. It is connected to the moisturizer. The humidity control and aroma machine is for finally controlling the moisture content of cut tobacco to a target finish moisture of 12% WB, and at the same time adding a desired flavor to the cut tobacco.

In this embodiment, the humidity control cylinder 18 is
Four humidity control sections 40, 4 continuous in the axial direction
3, 44 and 46, and one of these humidity control sections, that is, the humidity control section 40 located on the inlet 36 side is shown in FIG. Air can freely flow through the peripheral wall 48 of the humidity control cylinder 40.
A large number of openings 50 (see FIG. 4) are formed uniformly over the entire area of 8.

It should be noted that there is no opening in the portion of the peripheral wall of the humidity control cylinder 18 exposed from the heating jacket 20, that is, in the peripheral wall other than the humidity control sections 40, 42, 44, 46, and air cannot flow. Has become. On the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 48, a large number of stirring plates 52 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
Is attached. These stirring plates 52 have a louver shape and extend in the axial direction of the humidity control cylinder 18 over the humidity control sections 40, 42, 44 and 46, and the orientation thereof is the rotation of the humidity control cylinder 18 shown in FIG. It is opposite to the direction R. Seen in the circumferential direction of the humidity control cylinder 18,
Between the agitating plates 52 adjacent to each other, the humidity control cylinder 18, that is, a flow path of air flowing through the peripheral wall 48 of the humidity control section 40 is formed.

As is apparent from FIG. 3, the inner end of the stirring plate 52 is a bent piece bent in the radial direction of the humidity control cylinder 18, and the stirring plate 52 has two bent pieces. Every other is long. Further, as viewed in the rotation direction R of the humidity control cylinder 18, a ventilation plate 54 is arranged between the adjacent stirring plates 52 on the side of the bent piece, and these ventilation plates 54 are also disposed. Of the agitating plate 52, and the flow path between the agitating plates 52 is closed.

However, in each of the ventilation plates 54, air can flow freely like the peripheral wall 48 of the humidity control cylinder 18,
Specifically, it is made of punched metal or wire mesh. In the case of this embodiment, the ventilation plate 54 is made of punching metal in which small holes are uniformly distributed, and the hole diameter is set to about 1 mm in order to prevent passage of cut tobacco.
In each humidity control section, the opening area of the part of the ventilation plate 54 corresponding to the axial length of the humidity control section, that is, the total opening area of the small holes of the part is Ain,
Further, if the opening cross-sectional area of the flow path defined between the bent pieces of the stirring plate 52 at that portion is Aout, Ain <Aout is set.

On the other hand, inside the heating jacket 20, there are provided a pair of arcuate walls 56 that cover a part of the peripheral wall 48 of the humidity control cylinder 18. As shown in FIG. 3, these arcuate walls 56 are arranged in the upper left portion and the lower right portion of the humidity control cylinder 18, and both ends thereof are connected to the inner surface of the heating jacket 20, respectively. In addition, each arc wall 56 includes a humidity control section 40,
42, 44, 46 extending in the axial direction of the humidity control cylinder 18, whereby the humidity control sections 40, 4 are provided between each arc wall 56 and the inner surface of the heating jacket 20.
Heating chambers 58, 60 extending over 2, 44, 46 are formed.

Further, the heating jacket 20 is formed with an inflow chamber 62 and an outflow chamber 64 corresponding to each humidity control section, and these inflow chamber 62 and outflow chamber 64 are only the peripheral wall of the corresponding humidity control section. To the inflow chamber and air outflow chamber on the side of the adjacent humidity control section
Each is divided by 6. FIG. 3 shows the inflow chamber 62 and the outflow chamber 64 of the humidity control section 40.

In the humidity control section 40, an inflow port 68 is formed in the inflow chamber 62, and an outflow port 70 is formed in the outflow chamber 64. The inflow port 68 is located in the lower part of the inflow chamber 62, and the outflow port 7
0 is located in the upper part of the outflow chamber 64. The inflow port 68 and the outflow port 70 are connected to each other by an air circulation system, that is, an air circulation line 72, and the air circulation line 72 is a base as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It extends below the table 10 and laterally of the heating jacket 20.

A blower 74 and a heater 76 are respectively inserted in the air circulation conduit 72, and the blower 74 is fixed on the floor surface via a stand. Further, the heater 76 has a more inflow port than the blower 74. It is located on the 68 side. FIG. 5 shows the entire air circulation system including the air circulation line 72. In the air circulation conduit 72, a humidification conduit 78 is branched from between the blower 74 and the heater 76. The humidification conduit 78 is connected to a steam generation source 80, and a humidification conduit 78 serves as a flow rate control valve in the middle thereof. The adjustment damper 82 is inserted. This adjustment damper 82 is driven by a motor.
The opening can be adjusted, and the motor is electrically connected to the controller 84. A heater 76 is also electrically connected to the controller 84. These heater 76, steam generation source 80, humidification pipeline 78
The adjusting damper 82 constitutes a means for generating the conditioned air.

Further, the air circulation line 72 has a humidifying line 7
A motor drive type adjustment damper 86 as a flow rate control means is interposed between the branch point of 8 and the blower 74, and the motor is also electrically connected to the controller 84. Further, in the air circulation pipe line 72, a manual type adjustment damper 88 is interposed between the outflow port 70 and the blower 74, and between the adjustment damper 88 and the outflow port 70. An exhaust pipe line 90 is branched from a portion of the air circulation pipe line 72. A manual adjustment damper 92 is also inserted in the exhaust pipe 90.

Further, an outside air introduction pipe line 94 is connected to a portion of the air circulation pipe line 72 between the adjustment damper 88 and the blower 74, and the outside air introduction pipe line 94 is also connected to the manual adjustment damper 96. Has been inserted. A temperature sensor 98, an air flow sensor 100, and a humidity sensor 102 are provided at a portion of the air circulation pipe line 72 between the heater 76 and the inflow port 68, and these sensors are electrically connected to the controller 84. .

An air flow sensor 104 is also provided in the exhaust pipe 90 downstream of the adjustment damper 92, and the air flow sensor 104 is also provided in the controller 8.
4 is electrically connected. In addition, regarding the other humidity control sections 42, 44, and 46, the inflow chamber 62 and the outflow chamber 64 are connected to each other through the air circulation pipe line 72, and these air circulation pipe lines 72 themselves and the periphery thereof. The configuration is similar to that shown in FIG.

Although not shown in the drawing,
The heating chambers 58 and 60 of the heating jacket 20 are also connected to each other via an air circulation line, and a blower and a heater are also sequentially inserted in this air circulation line. These blowers and heaters supply heated air having a constant temperature to the heating chambers 58 and 60, and the heated air keeps the peripheral wall 48 of the humidity control cylinder 18 warm via the pair of arcuate walls 56 described above.

Next, the operation of the above humidity controller will be described. First, in order to simplify the description, air having the same temperature, relative humidity and flow rate under the same conditions is provided to each of the humidity control sections 40, 42, 44 and 46 through the air circulation line 72, that is, the humidity control air. Is circulated and supplied,
The temperature, humidity and flow rate of this humidity-controlled air are controlled by the controller 84.
Is controlled by.

Specifically, the controller 84 adjusts the heat generation amount of the heater 76 and the opening degree of the adjustment damper 82 based on the detection signals from the temperature sensor 98 and the humidity sensor 102, whereby the air circulation pipe is The temperature and relative humidity of the humidity-controlled air supplied from the path 72 to the humidity-controlled section are maintained constant. For example, in the case of this embodiment, the temperature of the conditioned air is room temperature to 90 ° C. and the relative humidity thereof is 60 to 80.
% RH, the temperature and humidity are set higher than the equilibrium temperature and humidity in equilibrium with the target finished moisture (12% WB) of cut tobacco.

Regarding the flow rate of the humidity-controlled air, as shown in FIG. 4, when the humidity-controlled air passes through the ventilation plate 54 of the humidity-conditioning cylinder 18 as described above, the passing speed V1 of the humidity-controlled air has undergone the expansion treatment and the cut tobacco in an absolutely dry state. Is set to be equal to or higher than the floating speed (about 1 m / s), and thereafter, the flow velocity of the humidity-controlled air from between the stirring plates 52 into the humidity control section, that is, the inflow velocity V2 thereof is equal to or lower than the floating velocity. ing.

Specifically, the above-mentioned opening area Ain is 0.
When the opening cross-sectional area Aout is 0.38 m2, the flow rate of the conditioned air is set to 0.07 m3 / s, whereby the passing speed V1 is 2 m / s or more and the inflow speed V2 is 0. It is 2 to 0.5 m / s. In controlling the flow rate of the conditioned air, the controller 84 uses the adjustment damper 8 based on the detection signal from the air volume sensor 100.
The opening degree of 6, that is, the blown amount of the humidity-controlled air from the blower 74 is adjusted, thereby maintaining the flow rate constant.

When generating the conditioned air, the manual adjustment damper 9 for the discharge pipe 90 and the outside air introduction pipe 94 is used.
2, 96 are respectively opened to a predetermined opening degree, and the conditioned air flowing through the air circulation conduit 72 has a constant exhaust rate,
The air is exhausted through the exhaust pipe 90, and new outside air is introduced into the air circulation pipe 72 by the amount of the exhaust. The exhaust rate of the conditioned air is preferably set in the range of 10% to 100%.

On the other hand, the humidity control cylinder 18 is rotated in the rotation direction R in the peripheral speed range of 0.2 to 1.0 m / s. In this state, when the cut tobacco that has been subjected to the expansion treatment and is in an absolutely dry state is put into the humidity control cylinder 18 through the charging port 36, the cut tobacco is first supplied to the humidity control section 40. It is deposited on the bottom of the humidity control section 40. Here, the temperature of cut tobacco is about 60-
The water content at 80 ° C. is 3-4% WB.

On the other hand, the conditioned air flowing in the air circulation pipe 72 flows into the inflow chamber 62 of the humidity control section 40 through the inflow port 68, and from the inflow chamber 62, that is, the peripheral wall 48 and the peripheral wall 48 thereof. Through the ventilation plate 54 between the stirring plates 52, the air flows from the lower side of the humidity control section 40 into the inside thereof as shown by an arrow B in FIG. The humidity-controlled air that has flowed in is similarly supplied to the peripheral wall 48 of the humidity-control cylinder 18 and the stirring plate 5.
It is discharged into the outflow chamber 64 through the ventilation plate 54 between the two and is returned from the outflow port 70 to the air circulation conduit 72.

The cut tobacco accumulated in the lower portion of the humidity control section 40 is agitated by the stirring plate 52 as shown by an arrow C in FIG. 5 while the humidity control cylinder 18 is slowly rotated, while the humidity control air is aerated. By passing through the plate 54, it becomes a uniform flow toward the layer of cut tobacco. Here, the inflow velocity V2 of the conditioned air after passing through the ventilation plate 54
Is set below the floating speed of cut tobacco, so
The conditioned air flows through the deposited layer of cut tobacco without blowing it off.

Therefore, the conditioned air that has accumulated in the humidity control section 40 and is in the agitated state can be brought into uniform contact with the conditioned air, and the humidity can be uniformly controlled. Moreover, since the temperature and humidity of the conditioned air are set higher than the temperature and humidity in equilibrium with the target finished moisture of cut tobacco (12% WB), the conditioned humidity of the cut tobacco is promoted and the moisture content is rapidly increased. It can be increased, and the humidity of cut tobacco can be adjusted in a short time.

This is very suitable for reducing particle size crushing of cut tobacco. That is, the cut tobacco just before being put into the humidity control cylinder 18 is 60 to
It is relatively flexible at a high temperature of 80 ° C., but when its temperature is lowered, it becomes brittle because its water content is small. In this respect, if the water content of the cut tobacco can be increased rapidly and uniformly as described above, the flexibility can be maintained and the shredded tobacco particle size can be greatly reduced.

Further, as described above, since the piled-up tobacco layer is not blown off by the inflow of the conditioned air, it is possible to prevent the particle size crushing of the cut tobacco due to the blow-off. Further, the conditioned air is sent to the ventilation plate 54.
Since the passing speed V1 when passing through is set to be faster than the floating speed of the cut tobacco, the cut tobacco is used as the ventilation plate 5.
Even if an attempt is made to enter the small holes of No. 4, the cut tobacco is blown off by the humidity-controlled air, and the small holes of the ventilation plate 54 are not blocked by the cut tobacco. Therefore, the conditioned air can stably flow into the conditioned section 40 through the ventilation plate 54.

Further, since the humidity-controlled air used for humidity control of the cut tobacco is returned to the air circulation pipe 72 and reused, the running cost required for the operation of the humidity controller can be reduced. . In the humidity control section 40, the cut tobacco that has been subjected to the humidity control process has the axis line of the humidity control cylinder 18 inclined as described above. , 4
While sequentially moving to Nos. 4 and 46, the same humidity control processing is performed in the humidity control section, and the moisture is discharged from the final humidity control section 46 through the discharge port 38.

Here, the humidity control cylinder 18 is fed from the charging port 36.
It is put into the inside, and then, from the humidity control cylinder 18 to the discharge port 3
8 is set to 3 to 20 min, preferably 5 to 8 min, that is, the retention time of the cut tobacco in the humidity control cylinder 18 is 10 to 20. It is set to%. Here, the cut tobacco holding ratio E indicates the volume ratio of cut tobacco in the effective volume of the humidity control cylinder 18, and can be expressed by the following equation 1.

[0043]

[Equation 1] E [%] = {(Q × H) / D} / A Q is the cut tobacco flow rate [kg / h], H is the cut tobacco retention time [h], and D is the inlet of the humidity control cylinder 18. Average bulk density of cut tobacco at 36 and outlet 38 [kg / cm
3] and A indicate the effective volume [m3] of the humidity control cylinder 18, respectively.

The holding rate E can be adjusted under the condition that the flow rate of the cut tobacco is constant, by the inclination angle of the humidity control cylinder 1, the rotation speed, and the dam plate provided at the discharge port 38 thereof. Next, in Table 1 below, the moisture content of the cut tobacco after humidity control for each humidity control condition and the bulging property of the cut tobacco after being treated by the humidity control and aroma machine are compared. Is shown.

[0045]

[Table 1] The puffiness is indicated by the number of cigarettes manufactured from 1 kg of cut tobacco, and the unit is [book / kg]. Therefore, the swelling property is one index showing the filling efficiency of the cut tobacco in the cigarette.

In the column of swelling property in Table 1, the numerical value in parentheses indicates an increase / decrease value with respect to swelling property when a conventional water spray type humidity controller is used. As is clear from Table 1, the swelling property is superior to the conventional case, regardless of the condition of the conditioned air used. However, it can be seen that when the temperature and humidity of the conditioned air is high, the swelling property thereof deteriorates. That is, as is clear from the column of moisture after humidity control in Table 1, when the moisture content of the cut tobacco after humidity control is too much, it is considered that the moisture causes the shrinkage of the cut tobacco. Therefore, it is not preferable to increase both the temperature and humidity of the conditioned air and increase the moisture content of the cut tobacco after the conditioned air in consideration of its swelling property when generating the conditioned air.

On the other hand, the following Table 2 shows the particle size distribution of cut tobacco after humidity control. This particle size distribution represents the state of particle size crushing of cut tobacco after humidity control, 4.0 mm
The larger the remaining amount of cut tobacco is, the smaller the particle size crushing is. Regarding shredding of shredded tobacco, the temperature and water content of shredded tobacco just before humidity control,
Further, not only the influence of the temperature, the humidity and the flow rate of the humidity-controlled air, but also the influence of the stirring strength determined by the peripheral speed of the humidity-conditioning cylinder 18, the residence time, the retention rate, etc.
Shows the result when the stirring intensity is constant.

[0048]

[Table 2] In Table 2, the temperature of the puffed tobacco that has been puffed into the inlet 36 of the humidity controller is 60 to 70.
C., its water content is 3-4 WB.

In Table 2, if attention is paid to the column where the particle size is 4.0 mm or more, unlike the case of the above-mentioned puffiness, the shredded tobacco particle size is small when the temperature and humidity of the humidity-controlled air are high. It can be seen that when the temperature and humidity are low, the amount increases.
It is considered that the cut tobacco becomes softer and less susceptible to crushing when the water content increases. On the other hand, as described above, the cut tobacco itself before humidity control has sufficient flexibility while the temperature is high, so it is better not to lower the temperature of the cut tobacco too much in the initial stage of the humidity control treatment. .

Therefore, in order to satisfy both conditions at the same time with respect to the above-mentioned swelling property and particle size crushing, the temperature of the conditioned air is a temperature substantially equal to the temperature of the cut tobacco before the conditioned air,
That is, it is preferably in the range of 50 to 80 ° C., on the other hand, the humidity thereof is preferably in the range in which the water content of cut tobacco is not increased too much, for example, 60 to 80% RH. The temperature and humidity are set to, for example, 50 ° C. and 60% RH.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but various modifications can be made. For example, in one embodiment, each humidity control section 4 of the humidity control cylinder 18
Although it has been described that the conditioned air of the same condition is supplied to each of 0, 42, 44, and 46, however, it is also possible to supply the conditioned air of different conditions to each of the humidity control sections.

That is, as mentioned above, in order to simultaneously satisfy the requirements for swelling property and particle size crushing, first, the moisture content of cut tobacco is increased at an early stage to enhance its flexibility, and thereafter the moisture content is increased. It is preferable to suppress it so as not to overdo it. Therefore, the temperature and humidity of the humidity-controlled air supplied to the humidity-controlling section 40 are increased, while the humidity-controlling section 4 is controlled.
Regarding the conditioned air supplied to 2, 44, 46, for example, the temperature and moisture of cut tobacco can be controlled in stages by gradually lowering the temperature and humidity, and as a result, swelling property and particle size crushing Both conditions can be met.

Further, in the humidity controller of one embodiment, when the temperature and humidity of the cut tobacco to be fed and the amount of the tobacco fed change, the water content of the cut tobacco after the humidity control may deviate from the target water content. become. However, the humidity controller shown in FIG. 6 is equipped with a moisture meter 106 that constantly monitors the moisture content of the cut tobacco after humidity conditioning, and the moisture meter 106 is electrically connected to the controller 108. The controller 108 obtains a deviation between the actual water content detected by the water content meter 106 and a preset target water content, calculates the target humidity of the conditioned air according to this deviation, and then calculates the target humidity. On the other hand, the opening of the adjustment damper 82 is controlled so that the actual humidity obtained by the hygrometer 102 matches.

As described above, if the relative humidity of the conditioned air is feedback-controlled based on the moisture content of the cut tobacco after humidity control, the moisture content of the cut tobacco after humidity control can be accurately matched with the target moisture content. In addition, in adjusting the relative humidity of the humidity-controlled air, the steam is supplied into the air circulation conduit 72, but water may be supplied instead of the steam.

[0055]

As described above, according to the rotary type humidity controller of the present invention, while the louver-shaped stirring plate is provided in the humidity control cylinder, the controlled air is supplied through the ventilation plate between the stirring plates. Since the inflow speed of the conditioned air after passing through the ventilation plate is set to be less than the floating speed of the cut tobacco, the accumulated layer of cut tobacco in the humidity control cylinder is stirred by the stirring plate, and the humidity control is performed. The air can stably pass through the deposited layer without blowing off the cut tobacco, and the humidity of the cut tobacco can be uniformly controlled in a short time. Further, since the passage speed of the conditioned air when passing through the ventilation plate is set to be equal to or higher than the floating speed of the cut tobacco, the air permeability is not impaired due to the attachment of the cut tobacco to the ventilation plate. . Therefore, the humidity-controlled air can be smoothly introduced into the humidity-conditioning cylinder, and the humidity-conditioning process can be stabilized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing a rotary cylinder type humidity controller of one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the humidity controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a humidity control cylinder.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a peripheral wall portion of a humidity control cylinder.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a humidity control cylinder and an air circulation system.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a humidity controller showing another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 18 Humidity Control Cylinder 20 Heating Jacket 30 Electric Motor 36 Input Port 38 Discharge Port 40, 42, 44, 46 Humidity Control Section 48 Peripheral Wall 50 Opening 52 Stirring Plate 54 Venting Plate 72 Air Circulation Pipeline 74 Blower 76 Heater 78 Humidification Pipeline 80 Steam generation source 82,86 Control damper 84 Controller 98 Temperature sensor 100 Air volume sensor 102 Humidity sensor

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuru Nakajo 1-31 Kurobeoka, Hiratsuka-shi, Kanagawa Japan Tobacco Inc. Production Technology Development Center

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A hollow humidity control cylinder, which is arranged laterally, allows air to flow through a peripheral wall thereof, and receives and accumulates expanded tobacco shredded tobacco, drive means for rotating the humidity control cylinder, and the humidity control. A louver-shaped stirring plate that is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder at intervals in the circumferential direction and stirs the accumulated layer of the cut tobacco in the humidity control cylinder as the humidity control cylinder rotates, and between the stirring plates, respectively. A ventilation plate, which is provided so as to block the formed passage and through which air can flow, and introduces air toward the deposition layer of the cut tobacco through the peripheral wall and the ventilation plate from the lower side of the humidity control cylinder. ,
An air circulation system that circulates air through a humidity control cylinder; a generation unit that is provided in the air circulation system and that controls the temperature and humidity of the air flowing through the air circulation system to generate humidity control air; The flow rate of the conditioned air introduced through the ventilation plate into the humidity cylinder is controlled so that the flow rate of the conditioned air when passing through the ventilation plate is equal to or higher than the floating speed of the cut tobacco while passing through the ventilation plate. After that, the rotary cylinder type humidity controller of the cut tobacco is provided with flow rate control means for making the flow velocity after passage of the humidity controlled air toward the deposition layer of the cut tobacco to be equal to or lower than the floating speed. 2. The flow rate control means is formed so as to be distributed over the entire surface of the ventilation plate and the flow rate adjusting valve inserted in the air circulation system, and is a flow rate between the passing flow rate and the post-passing flow rate. The rotary cylinder type humidity controller of the shredded cigarette according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of small holes for providing a difference. 3. The flow velocity after passing is 0.2 to 0.5 m /
The rotary cylinder type humidity controller of the cut tobacco according to claim 2, wherein the humidity controller is set to s. 4. The peripheral speed of the humidity control cylinder is from 0.2 to
The shredded tobacco rotary cylinder type humidity controller according to claim 1, wherein the humidity is set to 1.0 m / s. 5. The temperature of the conditioned air is room temperature to 90.
2. The rotary cylinder type humidity controller of cut tobacco according to claim 1, wherein the humidity is set to 60 [deg.] C. and the relative humidity thereof is set to 60 to 80%.