JPH0767611A - Method and device for tobacco expansion - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To expand a tobacco with superior work efficiency by placing the tobacco with a prescribed moisture content is a impregnate processing chamber, impregnation-processing it by means of an expanding actuation object, dring it and improving a processing quantity. CONSTITUTION: The tobacco with the moisture content higher than 13 wt.% than before expansion, is placed inside the impregnation processing chamber 22, an impregnation processing is executed for a period being shorter than 15 seconds under pressure being higher than 2000 psig by the expanding action material, such as a propane, etc., the imprognation-processed tobacco is taken- out from the impregnation processing chamber 22, the impregnation-processed tobacco is expanded and exposed under a sufficient condition in order to provide the expanded tobacco with >=13% moisture content, the expanded tobacco is dried to <=13% of the moisture content after expansion so as to expand it in order to substantially keep and expansion quantity caused as the result of exposure under the expansion condition in the impregnation-processed tobacco.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for expanding tobacco. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for improving tobacco expansion capacity and economics.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past 20 years, tobacco expansion treatment has become an important part of the cigarette manufacturing process.
The tobacco expansion process is utilized to restore the tobacco bulk density or amount lost during storage or storage of tobacco leaves. In addition, expanded tobacco is an important component of many low tar and ultra low tar cigarettes.

Frederickson US Pat. No. 3,524.
451 and Mosel et al., US Pat. No. 3,524,452, describes a method in which tobacco contacts the impregnant and is then heated rapidly to volatilize the impregnant and expand the tobacco. US Pat. No. 3,683,937 to Frederickson et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,049 discloses a vapor state impregnation treatment of tobacco prior to either heating or rapid pressure reduction for tobacco expansion.

The use of carbon dioxide to expand tobacco is described, inter alia, in Utosh US Pat. No. 4,235,250.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,729 by Bade et al. And U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,814 by Seeks et al. In these and related methods, carbon dioxide in either gas or liquid state is contacted with tobacco for impregnation treatment, and the impregnated tobacco is subjected to rapid heating conditions for expansion. Placed.
Known carbon dioxide expansion processes usually require the heating of the tobacco in order to achieve sufficient and stable expansion. Due to this overheating, the scent of tobacco is damaged or a large amount of tobacco impurities are generated. In addition, these systems, which use liquid carbon dioxide to impregnate tobacco, typically result in impregnated tobacco in the form of a solid tobacco block containing dry ice, which is crushed prior to heat treatment. Must be added, which increases the processing complexity.

US Pat. No. 4,388,933 by Merit et al.
No. 2 discloses a method for increasing the fill volume after reconditioning of pre-expanded cigarettes. Tobacco having a pre-expanded "oven volatilization" (OV) content of less than 6 percent is heated to reduce its OV content to a value below 3 percent, which is said to be good. It is said that the OV content of tobacco is almost equal to its water content, since 0.9% or more of the tobacco weight is a volatile substance other than water. Tobacco with a very low OV content returned from the heating process after expansion is placed in a reconditioning process to increase the water content and is said to have less collapse during the reconditioning process than if it was not heat treated after expansion. Be seen. Tobacco solidification during heat treatment was proposed to obtain high stability of expanded tobacco during reconditioning.

US Pat. No. 4 by White and Conrad
531529 discloses a treatment for increasing the tobacco loading, in which conventional gaseous halogen-containing carbon compounds are used at treatment conditions above or close to the critical temperature and pressure of the expanding agent. Alternatively, the tobacco is impregnated with a low boiling point and highly volatile expansion agent such as hydrocarbon. The pressure is immediately released to atmospheric pressure so that the tobacco is expanded without the need for a heating step to expand the tobacco under expansion conditions or to keep the tobacco in that state.
The upper limit of the pressure condition for this process is 36K
It is a range higher than g / cm ² (512 psi). In order to achieve sufficient tobacco expansion without being overly shredded,
Pressures lower than 142 Kg / cm ² (2000 psi) are used.

US Pat. No. 4 by Conrad and White
No. 5,549,32 discloses a fluid pressure treatment device having a cylindrical tube and a spool assembly mounted for reciprocal movement between a loading position outside the tube and a processing position within the tube. is doing. When the spool is in the tube, a deformable sealing ring, held in an annular groove on the cylindrical end of the spool, is biased radially outward to exert pressure between the spool ends inside the tube. Mates with the inside of the tube to form a chamber. A conduit is provided for introducing processing fluid into an annular pressure chamber configured within the tube. By using this device for high pressure impregnation treatment of tobacco with an expanding agent, it becomes easy to fill and open the tobacco,
The problems of closure and opening associated with conventional pressure sealing and locking mechanisms such as pivotable pressure-resistant lids are avoided. Therefore, this pressure vessel can save time in tobacco expansion and improve economy.

[0008]

The tobacco expansion process as described above must be carried out in a batch process when an impregnation pressure substantially above atmospheric pressure is used. The batch processing process requires complicated processing equipment and long cycle times due to the time it takes to open and close the container and to introduce and remove the impregnating treatment agent from the container. Although some throughput improvements have been made by modifying the various equipment used to reduce cycle times, substantially the throughput improvements in known batch systems are primarily due to individual system , Or by increasing the number of batch systems used at the same time.

[0009]

The present invention provides a tobacco expansion method and apparatus used to expand tobacco at high processing rates using high pressure tobacco impregnation processing conditions. The method and apparatus typically involve a tobacco impregnation treatment and an expansion cycle time of less than 20-30 seconds,
Use preheated and precompressed expansion agents such as propane to preheat batch tobacco and compress tobacco in the high pressure impregnation zone to significantly improve the use of available space in the high pressure impregnation zone To do.

In one aspect, the present invention substantially improves the extent of tobacco fill capacity increase in a tobacco expansion process using high pressure impregnation conditions. In another aspect, the invention provides a fast batch feed for reliably and economically delivering a pre-sized batch of tobacco to an impregnation treatment zone and for preheating the batch of tobacco quickly and economically. Provide the system. The present invention also provides equipment improvements for high speed / high pressure spool tubing tobacco impregnation treatment equipment. Further, the present invention provides an improved accumulator for rapidly producing and delivering a high temperature / high pressure impregnation process gas containing a combustible gas such as propane. The improved accumulator minimizes the volume of such gas in the system at any given time,
It also eliminates the cost and effort of moving the parts required by conventional accumulators.

A substantial improvement in tobacco fill capacity increase is that, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a high moisture content tobacco is impregnated with an expanding agent in the high pressure tobacco impregnation zone to provide expanded tobacco, and It is obtained by impregnation under conditions having a high water content, expanding the tobacco and expanding and then drying the expanded tobacco. Drying of the expanded tobacco is preferably carried out within a short time following expansion, for example within about 5 minutes after expansion. Tobacco delivered to the high-pressure impregnation zone has an extremely high water content, which causes crushing of cigarettes following expansion in these processes without heat treatment for expansion, but increasing the moisture content increases the filling capacity. It was found that the increase was enhanced and that the expansion of the fill volume was maintained by drying the tobacco following expansion to a moisture content of less than about 13 percent. Drying process is 177 ℃ (350
° F) or less and the moisture content of the cigarette is about 6 to
It is expedient not to reduce below 8 weight percent, so that the tobacco does not lose its volatile aroma.

In order to substantially increase the degree of tobacco expansion,
Conveniently, the moisture content of the tobacco delivered to the impregnation zone is higher than 20 weight percent, preferably higher than 24 weight percent. The high moisture content tobacco is conveniently preheated to a temperature greater than about 150 ° F (66 ° C) prior to the impregnation treatment. Expanding tobacco followed by drying as in the present invention allows the expanded tobacco to be maintained at high fill volume levels.

In another aspect of the invention, a batch of tobacco is rapidly fed and pre-sized for tobacco impregnation and subsequent expansion. The apparatus provided in accordance with this aspect of the invention has a generally vertically oriented metering tube for forming vertical tobacco posts. A tobacco column dividing means, preferably a member having a plurality of teeth, cooperates with a metering tube to divide the column into an upper portion and a lower portion below the dividing means supported by the dividing means. In order to do so, it can selectively engage with the tobacco column. A block member spaced below the dividing means is capable of meshing with the tobacco column to support the tobacco column when the dividing means is not meshing with the column. The block member can be disengaged from the tobacco column, so that removing the block member when the dividing means is engaged with the tobacco column results in the lower portion of the tobacco column being released from the metering tube. .
The tobacco is then sent as a batch to the impregnation zone.
The size of a batch of cigarettes can be easily adjusted by changing the spacing between the dividing means and the blocking member.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a vertically oriented metering tube is used for preheating the tobacco delivered to the impregnation treatment zone. According to this aspect of the invention,
Tobacco is preferably about 100 ° F (38 ° C) and about 100 ° C
Steam is injected into the metering tube at a position below the top of the tobacco column to heat it to a high temperature of between 212 ° F. (212 ° F.),
The heated tobacco is then delivered to the impregnation treatment area. The rapid delivery and pre-sizing system of the present invention described above is preferably used to deliver preheated tobacco as a batch to the impregnation treatment zone. Preheating of tobacco according to this aspect of the invention is rapid because the vapor is distributed rapidly through the tobacco. Further, the tobacco above the steam injection area is heated by the rising steam and also acts as a thermal insulation material for the tobacco in the steam injection area, which minimizes heating costs.

The vertically oriented metering tube is advantageously arranged on an opening in the upper wall of a delivery conduit which is oriented horizontally and is arranged for delivering batches of tobacco to a high pressure impregnation device. is there. A reciprocating compression member is mounted in the conduit for moving the tobacco through the conduit and compressing the tobacco at the downstream end of the conduit into the high pressure processing apparatus. The opening in the conduit that communicates with the metering tube is provided with a pivot closure that allows the tobacco to be compressed into the conduit. This allows different densities and batches of tobacco to be delivered into the impregnation zone without the need to replace or modify the feeder.

The present invention also improves upon the spool tubing system of Conrad and White in US Pat. No. 4,555,932 to provide improved durability and speed. When used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, spool tubing devices are operated at high cycle speeds of 4,5 or more times per minute. Therefore, a high pressure spool tubing system can operate from 3000 cycles to 360 hours in 12 hours a day.
It is preferred to repeat up to 0 cycles or more. While this device improves the speed and economy of tobacco expansion, the repeated outward expansion of the elastic sealing ring on the cylindrical end member of the spool under conditions of high temperature and pressure results in early sealing ring expansion. It has been confirmed that this may cause disability.

The operation and life of the sealing ring, in accordance with the present invention, reduces the radial clearance between the spool member and the inner surface of the lumen at one or more locations axially adjacent the resilient sealing ring. Be improved. This is accomplished by providing at least one circumferentially widened wear ring on each cylindrical end member of the spool at a position axially adjacent and in contact with at least an axial end surface portion of the resilient sealing ring. It can be accomplished conveniently. The expanded wear ring is preferably arranged in contact with both axial end faces of each elastic sealing ring. The wear ring has a circumference that is greater than the circumference of the spool end member to prevent the spool from disengaging from the tube so that the axial clearance between the spool and the tube is reduced where the wear member is adjacent. .
Improving the axial support of the sealing rings when these rings are biased radially outward under greater pressure because elastic sealing rings are located adjacent to the wear rings. You can As a result, it is possible to minimize the destructive deformation in the axial direction of the peripheral portion of the sealing ring.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the efficiency of the spool tube impregnator is determined by the rate of delivery of high pressure gaseous expansion agents to or from the annular high pressure impregnation zone within the tube. It is improved by increasing. This expands the total cross-sectional area of the gas delivery removal vapor port that communicates between the outside and the inside of the tube and at the same time also incorporates particulate blocking means to minimize the entry of tobacco into the vapor port. Accomplished by

In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, high pressure gas is introduced into the cylindrical tube through a plurality of cooperating vapor ports distributed through the tube around the circumference of the cylindrical tube. It enters and is removed from the cylindrical tube. An outer manifold surrounds the steam port to contain the process fluid entering the tube through the surrounding steam port. The diameter of each steam port inside the tube is smaller than a predetermined dimension to prevent tobacco from entering the steam port.

In an alternative embodiment, at least one enlarged steam port having a diameter substantially larger than the tobacco particles is provided through the tube. An enlarged block member having an outer surface that is wider than the diameter of the steam port connects longitudinally between the peripheral portions of the end members of the spool and is radially aligned with the opening of the steam port. As the chamber portion of the spool, i.e. the portion between the end members, moves through the tube, the blocking member covers the vapor port thereby preventing tobacco in the spool chamber from entering the enlarged vapor port. Gu Preferably, at least two enlarged steam ports are provided through the tube and a corresponding number of blocking members are provided on the spool.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a high temperature, high pressure gaseous expansion agent, preferably about 121 ° C. (250 ° C.).
An improved high pressure accumulator for producing and accumulating batch quantities of propane at pressures above about 2500 psig at temperatures above ° F). Previously, when a high pressure, high temperature batch of propane was fed to the impregnation zone at 4 to 5 times per minute or faster cycle rates, a very large amount of high pressure, hot propane could accumulate or move It was necessary to use an accumulator in the form of a pressure vessel having a chamber separated by various members. Inert pressurized gas was maintained in one chamber and propane was accumulated in the other chamber. When propane was periodically added to or removed from the container, the moveable member was moved within the container but was subject to failure.

The accumulator according to the present invention uses a high pressure vessel containing both the expanding agent and the gaseous pressurized fluid within the vessel without a separating member between the expanding agent and the pressurized fluid. In one embodiment, the container is maintained at a temperature above the critical temperature of each of the pressurized fluid and the expansion agent and sufficiently high pressure that the pressurized and expansion agents have a high density close to that of a liquid. It The pressurized fluid is selected to have a diffusivity characteristic that corresponds to the swelling agent, and thus 2 due to the diffusion that occurs between the fluids under conditions within the vessel.
The two fluids maintain contact with only very low levels of mass transfer. Preferably, the pressurized gas is nitrogen and the expansion agent is propane. Pressure over 2500 psig, 93
At temperatures above 200 ° F. (200 ° F.), these two gases are kept substantially separate from each other in the vessel, which allows propane to be periodically replenished and removed from the vessel with very low loss of nitrogen. It can be removed.

In another accumulator embodiment, at temperatures and pressures near or above the supercritical value, 2
A first and second region arranged to maintain the two fluids independently, and a barrier in fluid communication with each of the first and second regions and between the fluids in the first and second regions. An expansion agent and a gaseous pressurized fluid are maintained in a high pressure vessel that includes a third region for maintaining a fluid. The barrier fluid may be water and impedes substantial mass transfer between the pressurized fluid and the swelling agent.

[0024]

EXAMPLES Examples of various methods and apparatus of the present invention are described below. While the present invention is described with reference to the particular method and apparatus illustrated in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited thereto. On the contrary, the invention includes many alternatives, modifications and equivalents, such as to provide an apparatus in light of the foregoing description and the following detailed description.

FIG. 1A is a Conrad 1985 1
1 schematically illustrates the method and apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the present invention having a spool and a tube constructed generally according to US Pat. No. 4,554,932 issued Jan. 26, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. By reference, it becomes a part of the network of the present invention. US Patent No. 4554932
Various details disclosed in the number are not repeated here for brevity. However, it is necessary to refer to the specification of the patent for such details.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1A, tobacco is first treated in preparation zone 10 to increase the moisture content to a value greater than about 16 percent by weight, preferably greater than about 20 percent by weight. Preferably. The moisture-enhanced tobacco is then sent to the feed area 12 where it is heated as described in more detail below, and then sent to a reciprocating spool and tube high pressure fluid treatment arrangement.

The spool and tubing high pressure fluid treatment system has a pressure vessel defined by a cylindrical tubing or enclosure 14 and a spool assembly 16. The tube 14 and spool assembly 16 are made of any suitable material such as stainless steel. The particular construction and size of the tubes and spools is clearly sufficient to withstand the expected pressure in the pressure vessel.

The spool assembly 16 has a cylindrical end member 18 and a connecting rod 20. The spool 16 is shown in FIG. 1A.
When in the tube 14 as shown in FIG. 2, the end member 18 together with the connecting rod 20 and the tube 14 form an annular space 2 of a predetermined size that constitutes a sealed pressure chamber or area.
2. The spool assembly 16 is arranged horizontally,
Provision is made for a reciprocating motion between the loading position 24, also shown in phantom, the discharge position 26, also shown in phantom, and the impregnation treatment position, which is shown exclusively in FIG. 1A. A high speed hydraulic piston or similar motor means (not shown) is axially mounted by shaft 28, partially shown in FIG. 1A, to move the spool between its three positions. There is.

As will be discussed in more detail below, the spool is loaded with tobacco at position 24 and then moved to the impregnation process position. In the impregnation position, the shell 14 is sealed by radial expansion of an elastic sealing ring 30 provided in an annular groove formed in the end member 18 of each spool. The structure of the elastic sealing ring 30 will be discussed in detail later in connection with FIG. 8A.

The sealing ring is formed of a deformable elastic material such as vulcanized rubber and is arranged to receive hydraulic fluid through the fluid line 32. Hydraulic oil, such as edible oil, is pressurized through line 32 by hydraulic accumulator 34. Hydraulic fluid is pressurized to one end of the spool 16 through a hole that passes through a connecting rod 36, as partially shown in FIG. 1A, which is connected to at least one end of the spool 16. The hydraulic oil pressurizes the inside of the sealing rings 30 and spreads them outwards to seal the pressure chamber 22 from leaks.

The high pressure gas supply line 38 and the exhaust line 40 each communicate with the tube 14 by a plurality of vapor ports 42 which will be discussed in detail below in connection with FIG. 8A. The spool member 16 is impregnated by the pipe body 14 as shown in FIG. 8A or these vapor ports distributed around the surface of the pipe body 14 in the enlarged sectional views as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. Pressure chamber 2 when in the processing position
It allows the introduction and discharge of high-pressure fluid into or out of 2. An external manifold 44 surrounds the steam port 42,
It contains the pressurized liquid contained in the tubular body 14 via the surrounding pipe connection port 42. High pressure fluid flows through the tube connection 42 and then into the compressed tobacco loaded on the spool connection rod 20 via the multiple steam ports and channels in the spool body shown in FIG. 8A and discussed below. Flowing.

A pair of fast operating valves 46 and 48
Provide a rapid introduction or release of fluid into and out of the impregnation process chamber 22. These valves are preferably ball valves having a steam port of a size in the range of 0.5 inch to 1.5 inch in diameter or a size determined by the size of the impregnation treated region 22, thereby providing a substantially instantaneous The introduction of a high-pressure liquid into the impregnation treatment region 22 and the removal from the impregnation treatment region 22. The valve is appropriately opened and closed automatically by a high-speed hydraulic actuator (not shown).

On the inlet side, a high pressure gas line 38 is provided to an accumulator device 50, which will be discussed in more detail below. A heater 52 is provided to heat the gas sent to the accumulator 50. Further, the accumulator 50 is heated by means (not shown) to maintain the fluid in the accumulator in a heated state. For example 25
A high pressure pump 54 is provided upstream of the heater 52 to deliver high pressure fluid at 00 psig to the heater 52 or accumulator 50. The line 40 used to remove high pressure fluid from the impregnation treatment region 22 is connected to an optional gas regeneration region (not shown) to regenerate the fluid removed from the impregnation treatment region.

The accumulator 50 is, for example, 2500 p
It is used to bring a high pressure impregnation treatment liquid such as sig propane to the impregnation treatment area in the spool impregnation treatment apparatus shown in FIG. 1A. The accumulator 50 has a tubular container 56 formed of a material that can withstand high temperatures and pressures. The top and bottom of the accumulator have vapor ports 58 and 60 respectively for high pressure gas entry.

An inert high pressure gas, such as nitrogen, at a pressure above about 2500 psig is admitted through the vapor port 58 and is maintained substantially separate in the upper portion 62 depending on the pressure and temperature conditions within the vessel, while at the same time, such as propane. Expansion fluid enters through the steam port 60, for example about 2500 psi
It is maintained in the lower part 64 of the container with an elevated pressure above g. Vessel 56 is maintained at a temperature and pressure about or above the critical temperature and pressure of both the pressurized fluid and the expansion agent. Under these conditions and with a selected fluid such as nitrogen as the pressurized fluid and propane as the expansion agent, the diffusivities of the gases in the two fluid regions 62 and 64 are relative to each other in that the two fluids are accumulators. It may be low enough to remain substantially separate within 50.

When the expanding working gas is discharged from the accumulator, the pressure loss is detected by the detecting means (not shown) and the control unit immediately starts to replenish the accumulator with the high-pressure expanding agent, preferably propane. Pump 54
To start. The pressure sensor is provided inside the accumulator or inside the pump 54. During the time period used in the present invention to impregnate tobacco in the impregnation zone 22 of FIG.
It is replenished in a short time of 30 seconds.

As indicated by arrow 65 in FIG. 1A, the level of inflating agent in accumulator 50 is between a predetermined maximum level and a predetermined minimum level upon addition to and discharge from the container. Changes periodically. The lowest level is chosen to be some predetermined distance from the bottom of the container so that the release of the expansion agent does not release the pressurized fluid. Also, the lowest level is selected so that the expansion agent near the interface of the two fluids does not release. For propane and nitrogen gas, it is convenient to choose a minimum level of propane fluid of about 1 foot, but obviously
Different levels are used depending on the size and condition of the container.

A level controller LC is utilized to assist in maintaining the expansion agent, eg, propane, at a level within the aforementioned predetermined limits. A fluid interface level sensor or the like is preferably utilized to detect the position of the interface between the expansion agent and the pressurized fluid. An integral or independent control system responds to the level sensor and introduces a pressurized fluid, such as nitrogen, into the accumulator to maintain the expansion agent between a maximum predetermined level and a minimum predetermined level. Control removal to the outside.

Following the release of the expansion agent, the newly filled expansion agent is pumped back into the accumulator until a predetermined maximum pressure is reached. The predetermined maximum pressure is
It is selected based on (1) the total combined volume of the accumulator container with the accumulator 50 and the line 38 between the accumulator 50 and the impregnation treatment region 22, and (2) the desired pressure in the impregnation treatment region. The maximum pressure reaches the impregnation process area because the pressure in the accumulator decreases as the gas is released to the gas line 38 and subsequently to the impregnation area 22 of the impregnation apparatus as a result of the increased gas volume. The final pressure of the expanding working gas must be sufficient for the given pressure for the tobacco impregnation treatment. Therefore, when the final pressure is about 2500 psig, the maximum pressure depends on the above factors, for example, 2700-300.
It can be 0 psig.

There is usually some loss of pressurized fluid as a result of absorption of the pressurized fluid by the expansion agent while in contact with the pressurized fluid in the accumulator. The low gas diffusivity relationship between the fluids in the accumulator theoretically allows them to be kept substantially separate, but the gas diffusivity of the two fluids in the accumulator is extremely low. Even so, due to some mixing of the two fluids, a small amount of pressurized fluid will be released by each release of the expansion agent. However, usually, a slight absorption of the pressurized fluid does not substantially impact tobacco expansion.

When the system has a regeneration system for recycling the expansion agent, regeneration of the expansion agent using the regeneration system usually separates out all of the absorbed pressurized fluid and substantially eliminates it. The pure expansion agent is regenerated for recycling. However, the absorbed pressurized fluid is not normally regenerated and the presence of the absorbed pressurized fluid within the expansion agent reduces the amount of expansion agent that can be economically regenerated after use. The amount of pressurized fluid absorbed by the expansion agent is an equilibrium amount determined based on the diffusivity values of the two fluids at the temperature and pressure of the accumulator 50 and the turbulence in the accumulator, about 5 weight percent. It is preferably smaller than.

An accumulator adapted to minimize absorption of the pressurized fluid by the expansion agent is shown in FIG. 1B. The accumulator 50 'utilizes a third, thicker fluid, such as water, as a movable liquid barrier between the two fluids in the area separating the pressurized fluid and the expansion agent. As shown in FIG. 1B, accumulator 50 '.
Is a first region 6 for containing a pressurized fluid such as nitrogen.
2'and a second region 64 'for containing and independently maintaining the expansion agent under conditions of high temperature and pressure. The third region 61 is in fluid communication with each of the first and second regions and maintains a rich fluid medium such as water as a barrier fluid between the first and second regions.

The barrier fluid shown in the accumulator of FIG. 1B minimizes or eliminates mixing of the pressurized fluid and expansion agent even under conditions of increased turbulence. This feature reduces the consumption of the pressurized fluid and subsequent loss of expansion agent during its regeneration, and simplifies the design of the expansion agent regeneration system as the separation of absorbed fluid is no longer considered. Can be converted. In the accumulator of FIG. 1B, an expansion agent such as propane typically absorbs a small amount of the barrier fluid, eg water.

As shown in FIG. 1B, both the water and nitrogen composition are fed to the accumulator 50 'and the separate interface level detector LC may be wholly configured to control the water and nitrogen entering the accumulator. It is preferably provided in combination with a separate control means. These controls are responsive to the level detector and add water in sufficient quantity and speed to maintain the total volume of water in the accumulator within predetermined maximum and minimum control limits. In addition, the control means adds and removes nitrogen in response to the level detector signal to maintain the height and position of the water-nitrogen interface within predetermined control limits.

In the accumulator device of FIG. 1B, the third region 64 'substantially separating the expansion agent is provided by a partially closed cylindrical chamber located in the upper portion of the larger pressure vessel. To some extent regulated.
This or similar arrangement is particularly advantageous in preferred systems that utilize a thicker barrier fluid than either the pressurized fluid or the expanding working fluid. This structure and arrangement is merely a preferred structure, and other container designs can be readily made to provide a movable barrier fluid that separates other fluids within the container.

1A and 1B show a preferred accumulator of the present invention. However, other devices are also used to provide a sufficiently rapid delivery of high pressure, high temperature expansion agents. Further, for example, a container containing only a high density expansion agent maintained at a temperature above a critical value can be used. Release of the expansion agent from the container with a relatively low pressure drop of the expansion agent when the container contains a relatively large volume of expansion agent relative to the volume of expansion agent removed within each cycle time. Is achieved.

For example, 2750 psig, 149 ° C. (3
At 00 ° F), the propane concentration is 23.76 lb / c
u. ft. Is. At the same temperature and pressure of 2500 psig, the concentration of propane is 22.8 lb / cu. ft. Is. This allows 2750 psig, 149 ° C (30
One cubic foot of propane fluid maintained at 0 ° F.) has only a slight pressure reduction, from 2750 psig to 2500 psig, at 149 ° C. (300 ° C.).
At ° F) 0.96 pounds of propane can be released to the impregnation treatment zone.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a mechanical accumulator is utilized to deliver the expansion agent.
One of the presently preferred mechanical accumulators contemplated for use here is California, Moorpark, Pa.
rker Bertea Aerospace, Parker Hannfin Corp., Meta
l “Metal Bellow for sale from Bellows Divsion
s ”.

Returning to FIG. 1A, the pressure of propane introduced into the impregnation zone is preferably greater than 2000 psig, more preferably between about 2500 psig and 3000 psig. According to the present invention, when these high pressures are used, it takes about 5 seconds and 1 to impregnate the tobacco.
An extremely short impregnation treatment time of 5 seconds is used, while at the same time the tobacco filling capacity is significantly increased, eg 50 to 10
Increase by 0% or more. The temperature of propane is 138 ° C (28
0 ° F.) and preferably between about 300 ° F. (149 ° C.) and 400 ° F. (204 ° C.), for example about 149-15.
Conveniently, the temperature is maintained at 7 ° C (300-315 ° F). This results in a fairly excessive heating in order to heat the tobacco in the impregnation area.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a preferred apparatus for transporting and loading tobacco upstream is shown.
Any of a variety of shapes, including leaf shape (including stems and veins), strips (leaves with stem removed), cigar-filled leaves, cigarette-cut-filled leaves (strips cut into cigarettes) In form, the tobacco, preferably cut-filled leaf tobacco, is humidified in block 66 to a humidity of at least about 13%, preferably at least about 20%, by means well known to those skilled in the art, and through a pneumatic transfer pipe 68. It is sent to the measuring instrument designated by 70. As shown, the meter 70 is conveniently constituted by two separate metering tubes 72 and 74. Each metering tube 72 and 74 has a generally rectangular cross section that increases in size or is slightly offset in the direction of cigarette flow. Obviously, the metering tube may have other structures, such as a circular cross section.

Tobacco from pipe 68 enters feed valve 76 located at the top of the metering tube and is distributed to two metering tubes 72 and 74. Any valve known in the art for delivering solid material, such as tobacco, to the posts is used in accordance with the present invention. A typical feed valve is shown in Figure 2A.
It is a multi-blade rotary valve as shown in. The tobacco thus dispensed forms substantially vertical tobacco columns in each of the metering tubes 72 and 74. These vertical tobacco columns are of a predetermined height, which is monitored by height detection means 78 in each metering tube. The tobacco column height in each column is preferably about 3 to 4 feet. When the tobacco height in either tube falls below a predetermined desired height, the detection means triggers the feed valve to allow additional tobacco to enter the tube until the desired height is reached. To do.

After the tobacco is distributed and sent to each of the measuring pipes 72 and 74, steam preheat treatment is performed to further humidify the tobacco. Tobacco preheating provides heating in the impregnation treatment area to set time conditions for proper short cycle times. In addition, the extra water added to the tobacco serves to provide good swelling results and also enhances tobacco flexibility. Tobacco delivered to impregnation zone 22 in accordance with the present invention has a humidity of greater than about 20 weight percent, preferably between about 24 weight percent and about 30 weight percent, and greater than about 66 ° C (150 ° F). It has been determined that expansion can be enhanced when preheated to temperature. In the present invention, it is preferable that both humidification and preheating of tobacco are performed by injecting steam into the stalks of the respective metering columns. Steam heating is desirable because heat can be effectively and efficiently transferred to the tobacco while simultaneously increasing the moisture level. Furthermore, since the tobacco is in contact with the vapor in the metering tube, the tobacco in the tube above the vapor injection region acts as an insulator, thereby increasing the efficiency of using vapor injection to heat the tobacco.

Vapor is injected into each of the metering tubes 72 and 74 at a position below the upper end of the tobacco column in the tube. Two preferred vapor injectors are shown generally at 80 and 82 in FIG. 2A, each of which will be described in further detail below. These injectors require dry steam provided by overheating or overheating the steam pipe and manifold to prevent liquefaction. Further, the temperature of the injected vapor is higher than ambient temperature, preferably above about 52 ° C (125 ° F), more preferably above 66 ° C (150 ° F), for example 66 to about 93 ° C. Sufficient to heat the tobacco to a temperature of 150 ° C. (150 to about 200 ° F.).

3 and 4 show two embodiments for injecting steam into a tobacco column. FIG. 3 is a top view of a cross section of the steam injector 80 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2A.
Steam enters the outer manifold 86 through conduit 84 and is injected around metering tube 72. The manifold is spaced from the outer wall of the metering tube and forms an annular closed space 88. This space contains the injected steam.
Manifold 86 communicates with the interior of the metering tube through a plurality of steam ports 90 distributed along opposite sides of the tube.
The vapor passing through the vapor port 90 penetrates into the tobacco column as indicated by the arrow in FIG.

FIG. 4 is another preferred embodiment of a vapor injection system for introducing vapor into a tobacco column. In FIG. 4, the steam injector 82 is an insertable fork-shaped member constituted by a hollow bridge 92 that carries a plurality of hollow, perforated teeth 94. The vapor injection member 82 is horizontally arranged for reciprocating movement between a first position outside the metering tube 72 and a second position inside the tube. To move the steam injector between the two positions,
A hydraulic piston or similar motor means is axially mounted by the shaft, which causes the teeth 94 to move in and out of the tobacco column, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. As the teeth are inserted into the tobacco post, steam enters the bridge through conduit 96 and is then injected into each tooth of the insertable member. The vapor then exits the tooth through the plurality of vapor ports 98 in each tooth member and into the tobacco column, as indicated by the arrows.

Although FIG. 2A illustrates the use of both steam injector embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that either steam injector can be used alone. However, it is advantageous to use a combination of two steam injectors to ensure that steam is injected over the entire width of the tobacco column.

The vapor injection device of the present invention is preferably placed at a selected position midway along the height of the tobacco column so that almost all the vapor injected into the column is a tobacco column. Is liquefied before leaving. The injected vapor moves upward in the tobacco column, heating the tobacco in the tobacco column during its ascent. Heat is gradually lost from the vapor so that it condenses on the cigarette as moisture until all the vapor has liquefied.

Following preheating and humidification, FIG. 2A as a batch
Tobacco moves down through the pillars for distribution to the loading conduit 110 shown in FIG. The tobacco column divider, generally designated 112 in FIG. 2A, is operatively associated with each of the metering columns 72 and 74. Similar to the tooth-shaped steam injector 82, the tobacco columnar dividing member is positioned for horizontal reciprocating movement between a first position outside the columnar member and a second position inside the columnar member. .

A top view of the preferred embodiment of the tobacco segment is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the tobacco segmentation member 112 comprises an actuator rod 114, a bridge 115 and a plurality of closely spaced teeth 118. The dividing member moves between a first position and a second position to divide the tobacco column into an upper portion and a lower portion,
Thereby, a predetermined amount of tobacco is dispensed from the bottom of each tobacco column. When the tooth 118 is inserted into the tobacco column through the opening detailed below, the upper portion of the tobacco on the dividing means is supported by the tooth. Thus, the teeth are closely spaced, eg about 1/4 inch to 1 and 1/2 inch apart. The lower portion of the tobacco beneath the teeth is subsequently distributed to the loading conduit 110.

The tooth-shaped tobacco dividing element 112 is preferably vertically adjustable so as to selectively engage with the tobacco column at predetermined plural vertical positions. FIG. 7 shows a height range H in which the position of the tobacco pillar dividing member can be adjusted. The amount of tobacco in the batch dispensed from the bottom of the column can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the dividing member, which allows flexible selection of the amount of tobacco dispensed in the loading conduit 110.

The teeth 118 of the dividing member 112 enter the tobacco column through a plurality of vertically extending gaps, and FIG.
And those gaps align the teeth 118 through the double wall portion of the metering tube, as best shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows the outermost wall 120 with an extending vertical gap 122. In FIG. 6, the outer wall 120
Has been partially removed to show a second inner row of vertical gaps 126 aligned with the vertical gaps 122 and a spaced inner second wall 124 having a plurality of horizontal brushes 128 associated therewith. There is. Furthermore, it is convenient if a plurality of brushes 130 are associated with the outer wall 120. This double-wall structure functions as a saucer for receiving the fine particles of the tobacco adhering to the teeth of the dividing means when the teeth are pulled out from the tobacco columnar body. Brushes help remove tobacco particulates from the teeth. As the teeth are withdrawn from the tobacco post to the outside of the wall 120, the teeth come into contact with the two rows of brushes and the tobacco particles are discarded as scraps from the teeth into the openings 132 between the walls. drop down. The tobacco particles fall downward in the opening 132 to a lower portion and exit through the opening 134 at the lower end of the opening.

A preferred block member in the construction of rotary valve 140 is associated with the bottom of each metering tube. The block member 140 supports the tobacco column when the segmenting means is not engaged with the column, so that the segmenting member 112 can support the tobacco column.
It can mate with the tobacco column in a vertical position below. The blocking member 140 can also open the tobacco column for discharging the lower portion of the tobacco column below the dividing means 112 into the loading conduit 110.

The block member 140 is preferably an air lock rotary valve. The air lock rotary valve can be any valve known to those skilled in the art, and the valve can be an wingless blade that operates intermittently to receive and deliver batches of tobacco as shown in FIG. Advantageously, it is a rotary valve. The wingless rotary valve of FIG. 7 has a housing 142 that supports a bucket or packet 144 that is rotatable within the housing. Also, continuous air-lock rotary valves with multiple wings can be used.

In FIG. 7, the block member 140 is shown in a position which supports the tobacco column in the empty state. When a new dose of tobacco is dispensed from the bottom of the tobacco column, the tooth segment 112 is inserted into the tobacco column and the block member is removed from the block position 180 °.
As it is rotated, the open end 146 of the bucket 144 is thus aligned upwardly so that it is in communication with the tobacco column. In this position, the bucket receives the tobacco in the lower portion of the post and is then moved 180 ° again into a position to dispense a pre-sized batch of tobacco into the loading conduit 110. In the dispensing position (as shown in FIG. 7), the valve blocks and supports the tobacco column and provides a seal 148 between the tobacco column and the impregnated region of the expansion agent, thus blocking the block member. As air
It is particularly desirable to use a lock rotary valve.

The batch distribution system of the present invention offers many benefits. The amount of tobacco dispensed to the impregnation treated area is easily and accurately controlled. For example, the dividing members may be positioned vertically at different positions to provide arbitrarily predetermined batches of tobacco in different predetermined amounts for the impregnation process. In addition, the use of a metering tube allows for a substantially even distribution of the batch of tobacco across the width of the loading conduit. Quick distribution of batch tobacco input,
At the same time as the short impregnation cycle time of the present invention, each tobacco dose can be supplied to the impregnation zone.

Referring again to FIG. 2A, a predetermined amount of tobacco is dispensed into the loading conduit 110 for loading into the impregnation processor spool. As shown in FIG. 2A, a pair of opposing semi-cylindrical loading compression members 152 mounted for reciprocating motion within the horizontal conduit 110 provide separate tobacco doses 150 at loading position 24 (FIG. 1A). It is loaded on the spool. The loading conduit 110 has a generally rectangular cross-section and is preferably made of a material, such as hardened aluminum, that can withstand the wear associated with horizontally repeating loading member movements within the loading chamber. Further, as best shown in FIG. 2B, in order to prevent bending and clogging of the loading member, the top and bottom surfaces of the loading compression member are
It is conveniently covered with a hardened plastic sleeve 154 which provides smoothness between the inner wall of the loading chamber and the outer surface of the loading member. Typical materials used to form the sleeve include polyetheretherketone, available from ICI America and RTP Co.
rketone) (PEEK).

The loading member 152 is connected via rod 156 to repetitive biasing means, such as hydraulic piston 157, for periodic movement between the retracted piston and the extended piston. The tobacco dose is distributed in the loading conduit 110 through openings 158 in its upper wall. Opening 158 extends substantially across the width of the loading conduit,
It is located between the retracted position of the loading member 152 and its extended position. Also, a pivot closure member 160 is provided to close this opening, allowing the tobacco dose to be compressed into the loading chamber when the piston is closed, as shown in phantom in FIG. 2A. A pair of blocking members 162, such as teeth, are provided to separate the loading chamber from the impregnation processor. Block member 16
2 is mounted for movement between a first open position outside the loading conduit and a second blocking position within the loading conduit to prevent cigarettes from being blown along the conduit when the closure member is closed. prevent.

In order to load the tobacco 16 on the spool 16, the tobacco dose is changed from the rotary valve 140 to the opening 15.
8 into the loading conduit 110. A block member is inserted into the conduit 110 and the pivot closure member 1
60 is rotated about the pivot axis downward to cover opening 158, thereby compressing the tobacco dose, if required or included, in the loading conduit. The semi-cylindrical loading member 152 is then moved to the extended position. The tobacco dose is horizontally moved by the loading member 152 through the loading conduit and compressed into the spool 16. The opposing semi-cylindrical loading members cooperate in a fully extended position to form a shell around the connecting rod 20 of the spool and to move it to the impregnation treatment position as will be described later. Remain compressed on the connecting rod of the spool. Also, the cylindrical shell formed by the loading member is partially delimited by one or a pair of longitudinal framing members (not shown) and brought to the position above and / or below the spool. . Such frame members are advantageously adapted to mate with the edges of the semi-cylindrical loading member, forming a cylindrical closed space around the compressed cigarette.

The loaded spool is moved to the impregnation treatment position as shown in FIGS. 1A and 8A and the pressure chamber 2
The hydraulic fluid from the fluid line 32 urges the sealing rings 30 on both ends of the spool radially outward to seal the 2 leak tight. The sealing ring is conveniently vulcanized or otherwise glued into an annular groove formed around the spool end. A deformable plate or tape 153 is provided at the interface between each elastic sealing ring and the fluid line 32 so that the sealing ring does not adhere at this point and is therefore biased outwardly.

An annular member 160, such as a wear ring or an oil scraping ring, is also mounted in an annular groove formed around each cylindrical end member of the spool and at least one of the respective elastic sealing members 30. Adjacent to the end face in the axial direction. The wear member has a larger circumference than each cylindrical end member of the spool, narrowing the annular space or gap between the spool assembly 16 and the tube 14. By narrowing this gap, the elasticity of the elastic sealing ring 30 better receives axial support while being used for sealing. This minimizes wasteful deformation of the sealing ring leading to "overflow or squirt" of the peripheral edge of the sealing ring into the annular space between the cylindrical end member of the spool assembly and the tube. .

Each of the sealing rings 30 has a wear member 16
It is preferably attached to the zero plane and the peripheral surface of the spool end member. Further, it is more preferable that the wear members 160 are provided and attached to both end surfaces of the elastic sealing ring 30 so as to be adjacent to each other in the axial direction. The wear member is attached to the elastic sealing member by welding, adhesive bonding, sulfurization treatment, and the like.

FIG. 8A also shows high pressure gas lines 38 and 4.
0 indicates a preferred steam port configuration that allows communication through the tubing 14 for rapid delivery of the expansion agent.
A plurality of steam ports 42 are distributed around the pipe body 14 so as to surround the pipe body 14. The enlarged cross-sectional area of the group of steam port openings provided by steam port 42 enhances the rate of introduction and removal of high pressure fluid into and out of pressure chamber 22 when spool member 16 is in the impregnation process position. It is provided in. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the steam port 42 is slanted and of smaller diameter to prevent powder tobacco from entering the steam port as the spool assembly moves between the predetermined positions. Tapered to be a hole.

The outer manifold 45 surrounds the tube 14 and forms an annular space around the vapor ports distributed around it. The steam port 42 is aligned with an annular groove 162 at the end of the spool that communicates with a groove 170 formed in the connecting rod 20 surface via a plurality of radial channels 164 and axial channels 166. When introduced into the gas line 38, the high pressure fluid flows through the vapor ports 42 into the channels 164 and 166 until it reaches the groove 170. Here, the fluid is exposed to tobacco that is loaded and compressed around the spool connecting rod and flows out of the channel and into the tobacco as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8A. 1
One or more partitions (not shown) surround the connecting rod 20 to prevent tobacco from clogging the groove 170.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 show the efficiency of the spool and tube impregnation apparatus by increasing the rate of delivery and removal of the expanding agent of high pressure gas in the annular high pressure impregnation area within the tube. It is an alternative embodiment for improving. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the device is shown by the spool assembly 16 moving between a loading position and an impregnation treatment position. Accordingly, the spool assembly 16 is shown partially inside the tube 14 and partially outside the tube 14. In this device, each steam port 42 through the tube 14 is expediently in the form of an enlarged cross-sectional area of the gap, i.e. supplying the expansion agent to the impregnation treatment device and removing it from the impregnation treatment device. Valves 46 and 48 in the gas lines 38 and 40 to be removed
It is preferably approximately the same as the cross-sectional area of the opening through. This provides a higher feed rate for expansion fluid entering the impregnation processor and expansion fluid exiting the impregnation processor, resulting in reduced mutual friction between the vapor port and the expansion fluid.

The enlarged steam port 42 has a diameter greater than the size of the tobacco particulate, eg, tobacco cut packing,
The apparatus of FIGS. 10-12 has a steam port blocking member 260 to prevent or minimize tobacco entry into the expanded steam port, as best shown in FIG. The vapor port blocking member 260 is an elongated object having an outer surface 262 that is wider than the diameter of the vapor port. As best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the block member 260 is
A steam port opening 42 longitudinally connected between the peripheral portions of the end members 18 of the spool assembly 16 and through the tube (FIG. 12).
And are aligned radially.

As shown in FIG. 11, the block member extends across the connecting rod 20 portion of the spool 16,
A "chamber" is constructed on the spool to hold the cigarette. As the spool portion moves through the tube, the blocking member 260 covers the steam port 42 through the tube 14, thereby preventing tobacco in the spool chamber from entering the expanded steam port 42. As best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the outer surface 262 of the block member 260 is preferably curved to match the inner surface of the tube 14. Advantageously, the lower part of the block member is tapered to minimize the reduction of the space available for tobacco occupancy.

As can be seen, it is preferred to provide at least two enlarged steam ports through the tube and a corresponding number of blocking members on the spool. A manifold 45 is provided on the outer periphery of the tube 14 and delimits an annular space 44 which connects both of the steam ports 42, so that the expansion agent introduced via the manifold steam port 38 'is inflated by both tubes. At the same time, it is connected to the spool through the body vapor port 42. Similarly, the expansion agent that is removed via the next used manifold vapor port 40 'also exits the tube through both vapor ports 42. Further, by this, the delivery speed and the removal speed of the expansion agent from the spool and the pipe impregnation treatment device are increased, and the cycle time can be shortened.

Returning to FIG. 1A, following the introduction of the expanding agent into the impregnation treatment apparatus, the compression impregnated tobacco is
Maintained under impregnation treatment conditions for short periods of time ranging from ~ 2 seconds to about 20 seconds. Then the pressure is released. It is preferred that the pressure relief be substantially instantaneous, that is, achieved in about 1 second or less. This is achieved in part by using a fast acting valve with a large steam port to quickly release the pressure. A sensor, not shown, is conveniently provided to detect the pressure in the impregnation processor, and when the internal pressure reaches a predetermined pressure, eg 5 psig, above ambient pressure, the sealing ring 30 on the spool body. Cause outgassing of. The second pressure sensor detects the pressure of the hydraulic oil in the line 36 applied to the sealing ring. This pressure is the ambient pressure, eg 5 ps
Prior to reaching ig, this sensor causes the movement of a hydraulic piston connected to shaft 28 to move the spool body. The spool is then moved almost immediately to the open position 26, which achieves tobacco expansion.

An air pressure release device, such as an oilless compressor (not shown), is provided in the tobacco open area to surround the spool 16 when the spool is moved to or from the open position 26. Introduce a fluid such as high pressure air or nitrogen into. The tobacco that has been released to the open position 26 and expanded has expanded almost instantaneously as shown in FIG. 1A, and is sent to the transfer chute 172 and then to the transfer device 174 such as a screw conveyor. Advantageously, the tobacco has a moisture content substantially higher than 13 weight percent and is conveyed by the transport device 174 to the drying area 176.
Be carried to.

As best shown in FIG. 9, the expanded tobacco is placed in conduit 178 in the drying zone where it is lifted by moving heated air upwards. Conveniently, the heated air has a temperature below about 177 ° C (350 ° F), about 93 ° C (200 ° F).
Temperatures between F) and about 149 ° C (300 ° F) are preferred. Tobacco has a moisture content of less than about 13 percent,
It is preferably passed through the drying zone at a temperature and for a time sufficient to reduce the value to between about 6 and 12 weight percent. The dried and expanded tobacco is then sent to the separation area 180. Here, the fluid containing the expansion agent is
It is sent to the regeneration loop 184 through a partition 182 or another separation device such as a cyclone separation device.

The gas flowing through the regeneration loop is most preferably nitrogen, but may be another inert gas and is injected into the loop as indicated by gas injection region 186.
Nitrogen is heated by heater 188, flows through fan 190, and follows a loop for lifting tobacco. Purge steam 192 is continuously discharged from the loop and sent to the thermal oxidation zone where propane in the nitrogen is burned.

Tobacco flows from the separation zone 180 to a pair of rotating air lock valves 194 and 196 and is regenerated in the regeneration zone 198. The function of the two valves is to prevent propane gas from flowing into the regeneration zone. Therefore, the amount of inert gas such as nitrogen is 2
It is put between two valves. Also, as shown in FIG. 2A, nitrogen is admitted to other areas of the system for similar reasons. In this regard, a safety tube 200 is provided around the lower portion of the device, as shown in phantom in FIG. 2A. This tubing is provided for regeneration of propane exiting the system in use. Nitrogen is continuously added to various places in the system. Propane from various leaks in the system is regenerated in the tube and sent to a thermal oxidizer for burning.

Returning to the drying process, the swelling agent is propane or white and Conrad and US Pat.
Tobacco heating is not necessary to settle the tobacco into its expanded form even when it is the same expansion agent as the type disclosed in No. 529, and a tobacco with a high water content is larger than a tobacco with a normal water content. It was confirmed to expand.
However, it was also found that some or all of the increased expansion was lost, as did the high moisture content of tobacco. It was confirmed that the drying treatment of the present invention can maintain the expanded state.

The drying treatment is preferably carried out immediately after the expansion of the tobacco, more preferably within about 5 minutes after the expansion and within about 1 minute following the expansion.
In practice, the drying can be carried out substantially instantaneously following expansion. For example, the blower used to release the expanded tobacco from the spool can use dry nitrogen if desired and the tobacco is immediately sent to the dry area.

The effect of water content on tobacco expansion is shown with respect to FIG. 13 of the graph showing tobacco expansion with varying water content and varying tobacco preheat temperature. Tobacco in each case is approximately 149 ° C (300 ° F)
Was impregnated for 15 seconds with propane at a pressure of about 2500 psig preheated to Before the expansion, the tobacco is about 450 cu. cm / 100g filling value
Met. As you can see from Fig. 13, the tobacco is about 66 ℃.
When preheated to temperatures of (150 ° F.) or higher, raising the moisture content of the tobacco to levels above about 20 percent provides particularly improved expansion.

When propane is used as the impregnation treatment fluid, the cumulative amount of heat supplied to the impregnation zone from the heated propane and preheated tobacco is about 116 ° C. (240 ° F.) in the impregnation zone. About 132 ° C (270
Conveniently, it is sufficient to provide impregnation process conditions of between 260 ° F.) and preferably about 127 ° C. (260 ° F.). When heat is provided by both preheated tobacco and preheated propane, the impregnation process at a temperature of about 260 ° F (127 ° C) and a pressure of 2500 psig is accomplished in about 5 seconds or less.

The degree of tobacco compression during the impregnation treatment is
Affects the degree of swelling. The tobacco is preferably compressed to a compression ratio of at least about 1.5: 1 during the impregnation process. The compression ratio is determined based on the amount of tobacco before compression. The amount of tobacco before compression or the amount of tobacco in the coarse fill is determined by measuring the tobacco density in a 1 foot x 1 foot x 1 foot cubic container. To determine the density of roughly filled tobacco, the tobacco is placed in a cubic container and weighed. Next, from the value of the tobacco input amount and the value of the rough filling density, the rough filling amount of the tobacco input amount before being compressed into the spool is determined. The input amount of the rough filling amount is divided by the compressed amount of the tobacco input amount, that is, the amount processed in the impregnation processing device such as the spool, and the compression ratio is determined. All values are determined or modified by the actual moisture content of the tobacco dose delivered to the impregnation zone.
This results in a compression ratio of 2: 1 when a spool having an impregnation throughput of 25 cubic inches is compressed into a spool with a coarse fill of 50 cubic inches.

Tobacco is conveniently compressed at a compression ratio of greater than 2: 1 and up to 3: 1. The density of the tobacco delivered to the impregnation zone is substantially higher than the density of the tobacco prior to compression, as the tobacco is compressed to increase the tobacco density. Those skilled in the art will be aware that the tobacco density of the coarse packing varies significantly depending on whether the tobacco is in leaf or cut packing form, tobacco type, tobacco water content and other factors. In the present invention, 12%
20 per cubic foot calculated based on water content of
Pack densities of ~ 35 lbs are conveniently used. Increasing the packing density will increase the cycle time to achieve the same amount of expansion to some extent, but in the present invention, it will also increase by 12%
Packing densities in excess of 25 to 30 pounds per cubic foot, calculated on the basis of and above water, have been successfully used, at the same time achieving impregnation treatment times of 20 seconds or less, and packing volumes of 50-100% or more. Will increase.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing how expansion varies with varying tobacco density during the impregnation process and with different impregnation times. This graph shows the impregnation of a sample of tobacco with a moisture content of 27 percent with propane under the same conditions as above. The impregnation treatment time was changed from 4 seconds to 20 seconds. Moisture 12%, about 6.2 lb / cu. At 24 ° C (76 ° F). f
Tobacco samples with an initial coarse packing density of t were compressed to densities of 20, 25, 30 and 35 pounds per cubic foot (all densities were calculated or corrected at 12 percent moisture). As can be seen from FIG. 14, the degree of expansion is increased by increasing the impregnation treatment time or decreasing the compression of cigarettes. On the other hand, even when the packing density is high and the impregnation treatment time is 10 seconds or less, excellent expansion can be performed.

FIG. 15 illustrates the flexibility of the expansion process and expansion device of the present invention. This graph is a combination of various expansion data, showing the total increase in tobacco per hour (cubic meters per hour) obtained from the device of Figure 1A as a function of impregnation time and tobacco compression. Show. This data is 400 cu. We assume the available amount of space occupied by an inch of tobacco and assume that processing continues on the indicated cycle times. Obviously, the shorter the cycle time and the higher the tobacco compression, the higher the tobacco throughput. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 15, when the cycle time is short and the tobacco compression is large, the amount of tobacco increased per hour is the largest. This is true because the throughput is increased despite the fact that the amount of expansion for each batch of tobacco need not be as high as that obtained at low densities or long cycle times. The invention thus provides a flexible method which can be varied depending on the degree of tobacco expansion and the degree of tobacco throughput.

The various aspects of the tobacco expansion process described above are particularly applicable to the use of propane as an expansion-enhancing impregnation treatment agent, and also with supercritical conditions under conditions of elevated pressure near or above the supercritical pressure. Have been discussed in connection with the use of impregnation process temperatures close to or above the temperature of, and in connection with the preferred equipment. The method and apparatus of the present invention may be modified by a number of changes, for example:
If regeneration of an expansion agent such as propane is not necessary, the expansion agent can be burned after its use. further,
The various important tobacco expansion treatments and expanders disclosed above are particularly suitable for tobacco expansion treatments and expansion devices that use high density expansion agents at supercritical temperatures and have short impregnation treatment times, but are also widely varied. It is believed to be applicable to other different tobacco expansion processes, expansion fluids and devices.

The tobacco filling capacity referred to above has a diameter of 3.
A 625 inch solid piston was slidably placed in a cylinder of similar size, 2.6 lbs. On a tobacco sample placed in the cylinder. / Sq. It is measured in the usual manner using an electronically automated fill volume meter such that an in pressure is exerted for 5 seconds. It is believed that these parameters are to simulate the filling conditions that the tobacco is subjected to the cigarette making machine during the formation of the cigarette rod. A weighed tobacco sample with a weight of 50 g is used for the expanded tobacco. A sample with a weight of 100 g is used for unexpanded tobacco.

The moisture value of the tobacco sample was determined by placing 100 g of the tobacco sample in a wire mesh basket and then placing the basket in a powered air oven having an air temperature of about 200 ° F for about 3 minutes. Measured by Tobacco and wire baskets are weighed before and after heating in the oven and the weight loss, expressed as a percentage of the tobacco weight before heating, is reported as a percentage of water.

The present invention has been described in detail with regard to considerations regarding the preferred embodiment. However, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the foregoing detailed description and as defined in the claims,
Many changes, variations and modifications can be made.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of one preferred impregnation treatment apparatus used in the present invention having various different operating positions, partially shown in phantom.

FIG. 1B is used advantageously in the apparatus of FIG. 1A to rapidly deliver high temperature, high pressure impregnation treatment agents to separate two fluids independently under conditions of temperature and pressure near or above a critical value. A first and second regions arranged to maintain a barrier fluid between the first and second regions and a fluid in the first and second regions, respectively. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an accumulator having a region for communication.

2A is a cross section of one preferred tobacco feed loading device positioned upstream of the impregnation treatment apparatus of FIG. 1A and including a pair of vertical metering tubes arranged for delivery to a pair of horizontal conduits. It is a figure.

2B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one end of a tobacco condensing member that reciprocates relative to a horizontal conduit in the tobacco loading apparatus of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2A showing a preferred embodiment of a vapor injection device associated with a metering tube in the device of FIG. 2A for introducing steam into the tobacco column. It is an expanded sectional view.

4 shows a different advantageous embodiment of a steam injection device associated with a metering tube in the device of FIG. 2A, line 4-4 of FIG. 2A.
It is an expanded sectional view cut along with.

5 shows a preferred embodiment of tobacco column dividing means associated with a metering tube in the apparatus of FIG. 2A, line 5 of FIG. 2A.
It is an expanded sectional view cut along -5.

6 shows a lower portion of one metering tube of the apparatus of FIG. 2A, showing a plurality of brushes associated with the tobacco column dividing means of FIG. 5, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. It is a partial front view removed by.

7 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the feeder of FIG. 2A showing a vapor injector, tobacco column dividing means and block member for delivering a predetermined amount of tobacco to the impregnation expansion device of FIG. 1A. ,

FIG. 8A shows a sealing ring and a wear ring associated with the end members of the spool, and also shows a plurality of vapor ports distributed circumferentially through the wall of the tube for introducing processing fluid into the impregnation region. FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of one end of the spool tubular device of FIG. 1A.

8B is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of portion A of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8A, showing a preferred cross section for an independent steam port through the wall of the tube.

9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a tobacco drying loop used downstream of the impregnation treatment apparatus of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 10 shows the spool moved between a loading position and an impregnating position, with an enlarged steam port provided through the tube and radially aligned with the expanded steam port. FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative fluid introduction device for the spool tubing device of FIG. 1A having a mouth block member disposed on the spool.

FIG. 11 is a section taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10 showing how the steam port blocking members on the spool block the steam ports through the tube as the spool moves through the tube. FIG.

12 is an enlarged perspective view showing one elongated block member disassembled from the apparatus of FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the expansion of cigarettes with varying amounts of water and varying degrees of tobacco preheating.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing how tobacco expansion varies with different tobacco densities during the impregnation process at various impregnation times with swelling agents.

FIG. 15 as a function of impregnation time and tobacco compression,
1A obtained from a combination of various expansion data to show the flexibility of the expansion process and the device of the present invention, showing the increase in cigarettes per hour (cubic meters per hour) obtained from the device of FIG. 1A. It is a graph.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 feeding area 14 pipe body 16 spool 18 end member 20 connecting rod 22 annular space 24 loading position 26 open position 28 shaft 30 elastic sealing ring 32 line 34 hydraulic accumulator 36 connecting rod 38 gas supply line 40 gas exhaust line 42, 58 , 60 Steam port 44 46, 48 Valve 50 Accumulator device 52 Heater 54 Pump 56 Tubular container 62, 64 Fluid area 68 Pipe 70 Metering device 72, 74 Metering pipe 76 Feed valve 80, 82 Steam injection device 84, 96 Conduit 86 Manifold 112 Tobacco dividing element 128, 130 Brush 140 Block member 150 Tobacco dose 152 Loading member 157 Hydraulic piston 158 Opening 164, 166 Channel 180 Separation area 184 Regeneration loop 188 Heater 19 , 196 rotary air lock valve

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued Front Page (72) Inventor Lucas The Ray Conrad United States, North Carolina 27104, Winston-Salem, Lucon Lane 5240 (72) Inventor The Edward Edward Krug United States, North Carolina 27127, Winston-Salem, Peters Creek Parkway, 3270 (72) Inventor The James E-Labet, Inventor, North Carolina 27106, Winston-Salem, Utd Cliff Drive, 5470 (72) Inventor Robert Calvin Jyonson USA, North Carolina 27006, Advance, Riverbend Drive 261, Vermiyuda Run 1001 (72) Inventor Donald A. Newton United States, North Carolina 27103, Winston-Salem, Blue Bonnett Rain 5961 (72) Inventor Hammits Nesyan United States, Texas 77024, Hewstone, Memorial Drive 12633, Number 196 (72) Inventor Jatsky Lee White United States, North Carolina 27040, Huatfu Town, River Haven Road 4843

Claims (42)

[Claims] 1. A device for distributing heated tobacco to an impregnation treatment area, the apparatus comprising: a tobacco supply pipe, and a weighing unit for connecting with the tobacco supply pipe, for measuring the amount of tobacco fed to the impregnation treatment area. An apparatus, comprising: an apparatus, a steam injection means for injecting steam into a tobacco dose, and means arranged for delivering heated tobacco to an impregnation treatment area. 2. The means for delivering the tobacco to the impregnation treated area comprises a horizontally oriented conduit having an opening in the upper wall, arranged for delivery of the tobacco to the impregnation treated area. The device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the opening of the horizontal conduit comprises a pivotable closure member capable of compressing tobacco into the horizontal conduit. 4. The steam injecting means comprises means for delivering steam through a plurality of holes through at least one wall surface in contact with the tobacco dose. apparatus. 5. The vapor injecting means emits at least 12 cigarettes.
5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including means for injecting steam into the tobacco at a temperature sufficient to heat to a temperature of 5 ° F (52 ° C). . 6. The vapor injection means adjusts the temperature of cigarettes to 1
5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises means for injecting steam into the cigarette at a temperature sufficient to raise it to a temperature above 50 ° F (66 ° C). 7. A device for compressing tobacco into an impregnation treatment zone, the pair of opposed conduits having at least a first position positioned between the open ends of the opposed conduits and having a cylindrical shape. Spool means mounted for reciprocal movement between an impregnation treatment position positioned in the tubular body and first and second spool means included in the spool means for defining an annular space around the connecting rod. A cylindrical end member, a connecting rod extending between the first and second end members, and a conduit for moving the tobacco through the conduit and compressing the tobacco into the annular space of the spool means. A tobacco compression means mounted for reciprocating movement between respective internal retracted and extended positions, and in each of said tobacco compression means, cooperating about said annular space of said spool. Device characterized in that it comprises a semi-cylindrical end face is sized and shaped so as to form a cylinder was determined, the. 8. An opening for guiding tobacco into each of the conduits at a position between a position corresponding to a retracted position and an extended position in an upper wall of each of the conduits; 8. A device as claimed in claim 7, comprising a pivotable closure member capable of closing the opening and compressing tobacco into the conduit. 9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising a steam injection means for injecting steam into the cigarette.
Or the apparatus as described in any one of 8 above. 10. The cylindrical end member and the tube so that the tube, end member and sealing means define a pressure chamber when in the spool means and in the processing position of the spool means. Sealing means adapted to form a seal with an inner surface of the body, formed in the tube for introducing processing fluid into the pressure chamber when the spool is in the processing position. A vapor port means having an overall cross-sectional area sufficient to introduce the process fluid into the chamber at a rapid delivery rate; and a particulate blocking means for minimizing solid material entry into the vapor port means. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it is provided. 11. The vapor port means has a plurality of vapor ports circumferentially dispersed around a tubular body, and the particulate blocking means blocks particulates from entering the vapor port. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, having a steam port opening for each of the plurality of steam ports that is smaller than a predetermined size. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an outer manifold member surrounding the plurality of vapor ports extending through the tube for simultaneously introducing a process fluid through the vapor ports. 13. The vapor port means has at least one vapor port of a diameter substantially larger than the tobacco cut packing, and the particulate blocking means has a diameter greater than that of the at least one vapor port. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 including at least one elongate block member having a wide outer surface, the block member being longitudinally merged between the end member portions of the spool. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the block member is radially aligned with at least one steam port of the enlarged diameter. 15. At least two steam ports having an enlarged cross-section through the tube, and a manifold member surrounding the outside of the steam ports for simultaneously introducing a processing fluid through the at least two steam ports. 15. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that 16. The spool means further comprises an elastic sealing ring retained in an annular groove around each cylindrical end member; and the chamber is pressurized when the spool means is in the processing position. Means for deforming the elastic sealing ring radially outward to bring the inner surface of the tube into contact with the surroundings such that the tube, the end member and the sealing means constitute a pressure chamber; At least one annular member that is retained in a portion of the periphery of the end member and that has a larger circumference than the end member and that is axially adjacent to at least one end surface of the elastic sealing ring that is retained by the end member. 16. The device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, comprising: 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each of the resilient sealing rings is attached to the axially adjacent annular members. 18. The elastic seal ring according to claim 16, wherein each elastic seal ring is bonded in an annular groove formed around the spool end member. apparatus. 19. The one of claims 16 to 18, comprising one of the annular members axially adjacent and attached to each side of the sealing ring. The device according to. 20. A method for expanding tobacco, wherein a tobacco dose having a pre-expansion water content of greater than about 13 percent by weight is placed in the impregnation processing chamber, and wherein the tobacco impregnation processing chamber comprises: Tobacco is impregnated with a swelling agent, and the impregnated tobacco is removed from the impregnation processing chamber and conditioned under conditions sufficient to expand the tobacco to provide expanded tobacco having a moisture content greater than 13 percent. Dry the expanded tobacco to a moisture content after expansion of less than about 13 percent by weight to expose the impregnated tobacco and substantially maintain the amount of expansion that results from exposing the impregnated tobacco to expansion conditions. how to. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the drying step is performed within about 5 minutes following the tobacco expansion. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said drying step is performed within about 1 minute of following the tobacco expansion. 23. The drying step comprises about 350 ° F. (17)
Method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that it is carried out at a temperature below 7 ° C. 24. The method of any one of claims 20-23, wherein the tobacco produced by the drying step has a moisture content greater than about 6 weight percent. 25. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the moisture content of the cigarette placed in the impregnation treatment chamber is higher than about 20 weight percent. 26. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the moisture content of the cigarette placed in the impregnation treatment chamber is higher than about 24 weight percent. 27. The method of any one of claims 20-26, wherein the temperature of the tobacco placed in the impregnation treatment chamber is greater than about 66 ° C (150 ° F). 28. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 27, characterized in that the drying step is carried out by treating the expanded tobacco with a stream of heated gas. 29. The flow of heating gas is about 93.degree.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the temperature is between 00 ° F) and about 300 ° F. 30. The tobacco is transported in the drying zone by a stream of heated gas for a time sufficient to reduce its water content between about 6 and 12 weight percent. Claim 28 or 29
The method described in. 31. The impregnation step comprises about 2000 ps.
31. The method of any one of claims 20-30, comprising contacting the tobacco with propane at a pressure greater than ig for about 15 seconds or less. 32. The propane used to treat tobacco placed in the impregnation treatment chamber is about 132.degree.
32. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 31, characterized in that it is preheated to a temperature above (270 ° F). 33. The cumulative amount of heat provided to the tobacco in the impregnation process chamber from the heated propane and preheated tobacco is about 116 ° C. (240 °) in the impregnation process zone.
33. Sufficient to provide impregnation process conditions between F) and about 270 ° F (132 ° C).
The method described in. 34. A cigarette according to any one of claims 20 to 33, characterized in that the tobacco placed in the impregnation treatment chamber is compressed to a compression ratio of at least about 1.5: 1. the method of. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the tobacco placed in the impregnation treatment chamber is compressed to a compression ratio of about 2: 1. 36. The method of claim 34, wherein the tobacco placed in the impregnation process chamber is compressed to a compression ratio of about 3: 1 or higher. 37. A pressure vessel containing an expansion agent and a gaseous pressure fluid in a single, undivided chamber,
An accumulator for rapidly supplying an expansion fluid at or near the liquid density of a fluid, the pressure vessel maintaining two fluids independently under pressure conditions and a critical temperature of the expansion agent. An accumulator comprising first and second regions adapted to maintain said fluid at a temperature near or above. 38. The container further comprises first and second containers.
38. An accumulator according to claim 37, having a third region in fluid communication with each of the first and second regions for maintaining a barrier fluid in contact with each of the fluids in the region. . 39. The accumulator of claim 37, wherein the third region contains a movable barrier liquid that separates the expansion agent and the pressurized fluid from each other within the container. 40. The accumulator according to claim 37, wherein the pressurized gas is nitrogen and the expansion agent is propane. 41. The accumulator according to claim 39, wherein the liquid forming the liquid barrier is water. 42. The accumulator of claims 38-41, wherein the vessel is maintained at a pressure greater than about 2500 psig and a temperature greater than about 200 ° F (93 ° C).