US3437323A - Apparatus for the flue curing of tobacco - Google Patents

Description

April 8, 1969 F. w. THOMAS 3,437,323

\ APPARATUS FOR THE FLUE CURING OF TOBACCO Filed NOV. 28, 1966 Sheet of 2 Fig./

Frank W. Thomas I N VEN TOR.

April 8, 1969 F. w. THOMAS 3,437,323

APPARATUS FOR THE FLUE CURING 0F TOBACCO Filed Nov. 28, 1966 Sheet Z of 2 Fig. 2

/ If I i Frank W. Thomas :HMWMWQQMMWQQMQ Q INVENTOR. M m I I I g 4 Anomq:

United States Patent 3,437,323 APPARATUS FOR THE FLUE CURING 0F TOBACCO Frank W. Thomas, 510 Railroad Ave., Kingstree, S.C. 29556 Filed Nov. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 597,350 Int. Cl. F231 9/04 US. Cl. 263-19 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An upwardly directed conical baflle overlying a heating unit in spaced relation thereover. A downwardly directed fan is mounted over the baffle for effecting a downward flow of air onto the baflle which in turn deflects the air laterally outward for heating and circulating throughout a barn or the like. Duct means is provided for selectively communicating the fan with the exterior of the barn.

This invention generally appertains to new and useful improvements in the curing of tobacco and more particularly relates to a novel method and apparatus for the flue curing of tobacco in a barn.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for the flue curing of tobacco in a barn whereby air is forced downwardly and upwardly in a continuous recirculation free flow throughout the entire barn so that the air is circulated downwardly and upwardly throughout the entire interior of the barn and through the leaves of tobacco which are hung on sticks placed on tiers in the barn.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus for the flue curing of tobacco whereby air is continuously circulated throughout the entire interior of the barn and through the tobacco from a single location in the barn with heating means disposed at such location for heating the air so that the heated air is distributed through the barn and rises to the top of the barn through and along the leaves of tobacco and returns to the single location for continuous recirculation.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and means for the flue curing of tobacco in a barn whereby ambient atmospheric air is drawn from the exterior of the barn to a single location in the barn and is circulated downwardly and upwardly in a continuous circulating free flow throughout the entire barn and through the tobacco from such single location.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a tobacco curing method and apparatus which is extremely simple and highly eflicient in operation and which assures a proper circulation of air in the entire interior of the barn and to all of the leaves of tobacco which are hung on sticks placed on tiers in the barn.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide an extremely inexpensive, from an installation, maintenance and operation standpoint, method and means for curing tobacco and to provide an extremely simple method and means which remains eflicient in operation at all stages during the curing of the tobacco so as to obviate any damage to the tobacco and to properly condition the tobacco and cure it in proper order.

A meritorious feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a conical hood or baflle member which overlies a heating chamber in vertically spaced relationship therewith and which is provided with fan means operatively disposed above the apex of the convex surface of the conical hood and with means in association with the fan means and operative to selectively communicate the fan means with the ambient atmospheric air exteriorly of the barn, the fan being operative to move air currents downwardly and outwardly over the convex surface of the hood with the air currents being heated in the process and being forced by the fan means in a continuous recirculating free flow downwardly and upwardly throughout the entire barn and through the tobacco and to provide means for selectivel communicating the fan means with the ambient atmospheric air so that fresh air may be drawn into the barn by the fan means and passed downwardly over the hood and throughout the entire barn. The utilization of ambient atmospheric air allows a much quicker cooling off of the barn interior after the heating process has been completed and also functions for the purpose of conditioning the tobacco with moisture so that the tobacco is placed in proper order. In other words, when the tobacco has become too dry, means is provided whereby, particularly during the early mornings when there is a dew, the fan means draws in ambient atmospheric air exteriorly of the barn and circulates this air in the same manner that the fan means circulates the heated air so that the tobacco is properly and orderly and quickly conditioned, at a minimum of expense and in a manner requiring the expenditure of a minimum amount of manual labor.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of a tobacco curing apparatus, constructed in accordance with the present invention, and adapted to be disposed at one location within a barn for forcing air downwardly and upwardly in a continuous recirculating free flow throughout the entire barn and through the tobacco from such single location;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view, taken substantially on line 22 of FIGURE 1 and illustrating by means of the arrows, the operation of the fan means both in connection with the particular flow circulation of heated air as well as the intake and flow circulation of atmospheric air;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the fan means of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, detailed vertical sectional view, taken substantially on line 44 of FIGURE 1, and,

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the apparatus of the present invention in its location within a tobacco barn and showing diagrammatically the flow path of the heated air, the cool atmospheric air or a mixture of both with the air flowing in a continuous recirculation free manner downwardly and upwardly throughout the entire barn and through the tobacco.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, and initially to FIGURE 5, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a tobacco barn within the interior 12 of which a plurality of leaves of tobacco 14 are hung on sticks placed on tiers in the barn.

The present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 16, is disposed at one single location within the interior of the barn, preferably centrally lo cated within the interior of the barn and constitutes the sole source of air distribution throughout the entire interior of the barn and upwardly along and through the leaves of tobacco 14.

The apparatus 16 is designed and formed so as to function as the sole source of air currents, either hot air, mixed hot air and cool atmospheric air or ambient atmospheric air alone from the exterior of the barn. The apparatus 16 functions from one location to force air downwardly and upwardly in a continuous recirculating free flow throughout the entire interior 12 of the barn and through the tobacco 14 as indicated by the arrows 18.

The apparatus 16, as shown more particularly in FIG- URES 1 through 4, essentially comprises a conical hood or bafile member which is horizontally disposed at a height above the floor surface 21 of the interior of the barn 12 and is in structural association at its concave undersurface 22 with a cylindrically shaped heating chamber 24. The hood 20 is spaced vertically above the open upper end 26 of the heating chamber 24 by means of vertical interconnecting and spacing bars 28. The bars 28 are spaced around the circumference of the cylindrical heating chamber 24 and have lower end portions 30 which are fixed to the inner surface 32 of the wall of the heating chamber, in any suitable fashion, as by welding 34. The bars 28 are coextensive in height and have upper end portions 36 which are suitably secured, as by welding 38, to the concave undersurface 22 of the conical hood 20. The upper end portions 36 are spaced evenly inwardly from the peripheral or circumferential edge portion 40 of the hood and the circumferential edge portion overhangs the open end 26 of the heating chamber 24, as shown particularly in FIGURE 2. The bars 28 support the hood in a horizontal position and are coextensive in length so that the hood is supported throughout its entire portion at the same level above the open end 26 of the hood with the bars 28 being spaced equidistantly apart, around the circumference of the heating chamber 24 so as to provide outlet spaces 42 for the rising hot air currents, indicated by the arrows 44 in FIGURE 2, which air currents rise from the interior of the heating chamber 24.

The heating chamber 24 is supported in a vertically adjustable manner by ground engaging support means 46, shown more particularly in FIGURE 4. In this respect, the lower end portion 48 of the heating chamber 24 is provided adjacent its open lower end 50 with vertically orientated tubular sleeves 52 which are suitably fastened, as by welding 54, to the exterior surface of the lower portion of the heating chamber. Supporting standards or legs 56 are provided and include elongated rod portions 58 having annular feet 60 provided on their lower ends with the rods 58 slidably disposed within the vertical bores 62 in the sleeves and being locked in adjusted positions by setscrews 64.

The open lower end 50 of the heating chamber 24 accommodates therein a cylindrically shaped burner 66 which is spaced radially inwardly from the inner surface 32 of the wall of the heating chamber 24 with the open lower end 50 being spaced in adjustable fashion above the ground level 21, as shown clearly in FIGURE 2. The burner unit 66 rests on the ground and has an open upper end 68 from which the air currents 44 rise and the cylindrically shaped burner 66 is connected to a vaporizer 70 by means of a tube or conduit 72 which radially communicates with and is connected to a suitable opening in the lower portion of the side wall of the cylindrically shaped burner 66. A fuel supply line 74, which extends from any suitable source of forced fuel feed, is connected to the vaporizer 70 which dispenses through the conduit 72 the fuel which enters the burner 66 where combustion takes place with the hot air currents 44 rising vertically from the open upper end 68 of the burner 66 within the heating chamber 24 and passing outwardly through the spaces 42, as shown clearly in FIGURE 2.

The heating chamber 24 is situated above the ground level 21 so as to admit a substantial supply of secondary air and is supported by the legs 56 which can support the heating chamber at various levels. The hood 20 is located above the open upper end of the heating chamber 24 and, in accordance with an important feature of the present invention, fan means 76 is provided and is disposed vertically above the upper convex side 79 of the hood.

The fan means or assembly 76 comprises a cylindrical reticulated shell or housing 78, which is supported by vertically upstanding rods 80 attached at circumferentially spaced points and having upper exteriorly threaded end portion 82 which are attached to an annular collar 84 having an internal upstanding annular flange 86. A pair of parallel support or brace bars 88 and 90, as shown more particularly in FIGURE 3, are secured to the collar and are adjusted vertically by virtue of the attachment of the collar to the upper threaded end portions 82 of the upstanding supporting rods which are attached to the collar by the locknuts 92. The brace bars 88 and 90 extend diametrically of the collar in spaced parallel relation and support the housing 94 of an electric motor 96, which depends therefrom. In this respect, the housing 94 is provided at its upper end with upstanding threaded bolts 98 which are passed through suitable apertures in the brace bars and locknuts 100 are provided to anchor the motor 96 in a vertically depending position and in a positive centrally orientated position within the reticulated cylindrical shell or housing 78. Fan blades 102 are carried by a center hub 104 that is fixed on the depending armature shaft 106 of the motor so that the fan blades are disposed horizontally and rotate in a horizontal position slightly above the apex 108 of the hood and force air currents, identified by the arrows 110 in FIGURE 2 downwardly and outwardly over the upper convex surface of the hood to mix with and carry the hot air currents 44 and force the same downwardly and outwardly in the path indicated by the arrows 18 in FIGURE 5, with the air currents returning, as identified by the arrows 112 in FIGURE 2 so that the continuous free air flow throughout the entire barn and through the tobacco in downwardly and upwardly fashion, as indicated by the arrows 18 of FIGURE 5, is obtained.

The upper end of the shell or housing is closed off by a cover 114, which has a central opening 116 defined by an upstanding annular collar 118 to which the lower end 120 of the connecting elbow section 122 of an air conduit or tubing 124 is attached. The conduit or duct 124 extends through the wall of the barn and is exposed to the ambient atmospheric air exteriorly of the barn and the exteriorly extending portion 126 is provided with a control damper 128, which may be manually operated or may be operated and controlled by a motor and control means of any desired type. The fresh air duct 124 is covered with fiber glass insulation 130 which controls a moisture build-up on the fresh air duct helping minimize the amount of moisture absorbed in the barn.

As aforedescribed, the operation of the apparatus is extremely simple. It involves the combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber 68 which causes hot air currents 44 to rise and the fan produces the air currents 110 which are forced downwardly and outwardly and mixed with the hot air current 44 so that heated air currents in a continuous recirculation free flow are forced downwardly and outwardly from a single location in the barn throughout the entire barn and through the tobacco from the single location, as shown in FIGURE 5. The fan forces the heat downwardly and outwardly throughout the entire barn so that the tobacco is flue cured in a complete, positive and certain manner and with the use of less fuel. The curing process of tobacco is effected in a shorter time and at a lower general temperature which will be maintained throughout the interior of the barn.

In addition to or in association with, depending upon various circumstances, fresh air can be drawn into the barn by opening the damper 128 and the fan will function to draw the fresh air currents identified by the arrows 132 in FIGURE 2 into the interior of the barn and such will be forced downwardly and outwardly over the upper convex surface of the conical hood.

It is proposed that the burner will be shut down and the air currents 132 will be drawn in and circulated solely by themselves in the same manner as indicated by the arrows 18 in FIGURE 5. This would allow a much quicker cooling off of the barn after the heating process has been completed and it could also be used for the purpose of conditioning the tobacco with moisture so as to render the tobacco in proper order. This merely means that when tobacco has become too dry, the damper 128 can be opened, usually during the early morning hours when there is a dew, and this permits the moist atmospheric air to be drawn in and circulated throughout the barn and through the tobacco which has been dried to too great an extereme so that the tobacco becomes more moist and can be handled.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An apparatus for the flue curing of tobacco in a barn comprising a substantially conical baffle member, means positioning said conical bafile member in a horizontally disposed raised position with its convex surface facing upwardly, fan means mounted above the apex of the convex surface and arranged to force air currents downwardly for an outward directing thereof by said convex surface, heating means disposed su'bjacent the baffle member in vertically spaced relation with the con cave surface thereof, and means connected to the fan means for selectively communicating the fan means with the ambient atmospheric air exteriorly of the barn.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said means connected to the fan means for communicating the fan means with the atmosphere exteriorly of the barn includes duct means having one end in communication with the fan means and the second end adapted for positioning exteriorly of the barn, and damper means located within said duct means.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said fan means is mounted on and supported by the bafile member above the apex of the convex surface to force air downwardly and outwardly over the convex surface throughout the entire barn with the fan means being formed for drawing such air back in to establish a recirculation flow of air downwardly and outwardly throughout the entire barn.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said heating means includes a substantially annular heating chamber, means mounting the heating chamber above the ground level, and a burner unit located within the lower end of the heating chamber said mounting means for the heating chamber being vertically adjustable.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein supporting means is provided for the baffle member and carried by the heating chamber and disposes the concave surface of the baffle member vertically above the heating chamber.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein said supporting means includes vertical bars arranged in spaced apart relation and said heating chamber having an open upper end with heat currents rising through said upper end and radiating out through the spaces between said bars and being captured and moved by air currents from the fan means.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein said heating chamber is substantially cylindrical and said baffie member has its concave face extending radially beyond the open upper end of the heating chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,214,503 9/1940 Landis 263-49 2,569,084 9/1951 White 263-19 3,367,643 2/1968 Copeland 263l9 FREDERICK L. MAT'FESON JR., Primary Examiner. EDWARD G. FAVORS, Assistant Examiner.

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