WO1997014322A1 - A process for treating tobacco - Google Patents
A process for treating tobacco Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1997014322A1 WO1997014322A1 PCT/GB1995/002468 GB9502468W WO9714322A1 WO 1997014322 A1 WO1997014322 A1 WO 1997014322A1 GB 9502468 W GB9502468 W GB 9502468W WO 9714322 A1 WO9714322 A1 WO 9714322A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- tobacco
- kpa
- pressure
- chamber
- mbar
- Prior art date
Links
- 241000208125 Nicotiana Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 70
- 235000002637 Nicotiana tabacum Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 70
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 44
- QWTDNUCVQCZILF-UHFFFAOYSA-N isopentane Chemical compound CCC(C)C QWTDNUCVQCZILF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 70
- AFABGHUZZDYHJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N dimethyl butane Natural products CCCC(C)C AFABGHUZZDYHJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 238000005470 impregnation Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000001291 vacuum drying Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 6
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 6
- 210000003850 cellular structure Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 235000019506 cigar Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 239000012071 phase Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000002421 cell wall Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000000052 comparative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001493 electron microscopy Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011027 product recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019505 tobacco product Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B3/00—Preparing tobacco in the factory
- A24B3/18—Other treatment of leaves, e.g. puffing, crimpling, cleaning
- A24B3/182—Puffing
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a process for treating tobacco. More particularly, it relates to a process for expanding tobacco to increase its filling capacity.
- Tobacco leaves after harvesting, are subjected to curing processes. As a result of water loss suffered during the curing process , the leaves undergo variable shrinkage. It is conventional practice in the tobacco industry to treat cured tobacco intended for cigar or cigarette manufacture to recover the shrinkage by increasing its filling capacity. It is generally considered that by treating the tobacco in this way the cellular structure of the cured tobacco leaf is expanded to a state similar to that found in the leaf prior to curing.
- the present invention is based on the discovery that filler expansion levels similar to and sometimes better than those achieved by conventionally used expansion processes and hence recovery can be achieved by the use of isopentane as the expansion medium in the vapour phase in a carefully controlled process .
- the invention provides a process for treating tobacco comprising a series of steps:
- the tobacco which is treated according to the process of the invention will typically be in the form of pieces of cured tobacco leaf obtained by threshing, flailing or slicing whole cured leaves.
- the tobacco may alternatively be in the form of strips cut from whole leaf or may be shredded leaf.
- the tobacco to be treated will be arranged in baskets in the processing chamber.
- the cured tobacco is, according to the present invention, subjected to a reduced pressure of not greater than 70 mbar (7 kPa) .
- a reduced pressure of not greater than 70 mbar (7 kPa) .
- the pressure in the chamber is reduced below 70 mbar (7 kPa) as far as it is possible to do so and this is, of course, dictated by the performance of the evacuation and recovery system used.
- pressures in the range of from 40 - 70 mbar (4 - 7 kPa) are consistently achievable in this process and give good results.
- Isopentane vapour is then pumped into the processing chamber. It is important in the invention that no liquid isopentane is allowed to enter the process chamber. Therefore, liquid isopentane stored outside the process chamber must be completely vaporised before it enters the process chamber and comes into contact with the tobacco. Since isopentane is a highly volatile and flammable solvent, engineering design of the process and recovery system must be carefully undertaken.
- the temperature of the isopentane vapour entering the chamber will be in the range of from 70°C to 90°C. Isopentane vapour having a temperature greater than 90 °C should not be used in the invention since it impairs the subsequent steam expansion treatment and does not enable sufficient expansion of the tobacco to be achieved.
- the amount of isopentane impregnating the cells in the tobacco leaf is controlled by the pressure of isopentane vapour created in the process chamber.
- the isopentane vapour is injected into the chamber until an internal pressure of at least 4000 mbar (400 kPa), preferably in the range of from 4000 - 4500 mbar (400 - 450 kPa), is achieved.
- the chamber is sealed after which the internal pressure will continue to rise (typically to about 5000 mbar (500 kPa ) ) as the temperature of the isopentane vapour continues to rise.
- the tobacco is maintained in contact with isopentane vapour at a pressure of at least 4000 mbar (400 kPa ) for up to 30 minutes to allow complete penetration of the tobacco leaf cells by the isopentane to occur.
- a pressure of at least 4000 mbar (400 kPa ) for up to 30 minutes to allow complete penetration of the tobacco leaf cells by the isopentane to occur.
- optimum expansion of the tobacco is achieved by maintaining the high pressure for about 30 minutes.
- isopentane appearing within the cell structure is squeezed under pressure into the liquid phase.
- the temperature of the impregnated tobacco is caused to increase rapidly by contacting the tobacco with steam.
- the isopentane liquid bound inside the tobacco leaf cells undergoes a volume increase and is released causing the cellular structure of the tobacco to expand. Electron microscopy reveals that the cell walls have swollen as a result of this treatment. In addition, the surface of the leaf appears to roughen.
- the steam is introduced into the chamber to raise the pressure therein to a value in the range of from 1000 mbar (lOOkPa) to 1400 mbar (140kPa) and preferably from 1000 to 1200 mbar (100 to 120 kPa ) .
- the expansion stage is considered to be complete when the steam exhausted from the chamber by the evacuation and recovery system has risen to a temperature of 90 to 95°C especially about 94°C. At this point the introduction of steam is discontinued.
- the time period from the start of the steam introduction to the achievement of this exhaust temperature should preferably not be greater than 4 minutes and if possible not greater than 2 minutes .
- the expanded tobacco is subjected to evaporative re-ordering to achieve the final desired expansion and moisture content.
- the final moisture content of the tobacco will be as close as possible to the level prior to the process.
- Re ⁇ ordering may, in general, be achieved by evacuation of the process chamber, following completion of the expansion stage, to a pressure in the range of 180 - 220 mbar (18 - 22 kPa ) . Thereafter, the pressure is returned isothermally back to atmospheric and the expanded tobacco removed from the process chamber.
- the thus-treated tobacco may then, if required, be blended in the usual way and then conveyed to a cigar or cigarette production site as required.
- a filling value apparatus which is essentially composed of a cylinder 64mm in diameter into which a piston 63mm in diameter slides.
- the piston has a graduated seal on the side. Pressure is applied to the piston and volume in millilitres of a given weight of tobacco, 14.18g is - determined.
- This apparatus will accurately determine the filling value of a given amount of threshed cigar tobacco with good reproducibility.
- the pressure on the tobacco applied by the piston in all examples was 12.8 kPa applied for 10 minutes at which time the filling value reading was taken.
- the moisture content of the tobacco affects the filling values determined by this method, therefore comparative filling values were obtained at similar moisture contents.
- 150 kg of a cured, threshed cigar tobacco containing 14 to 14.5% moisture and having a filling value of 5.08 cc/g when determined by the procedure previously indicated was arranged in baskets and treated according to the process of the invention.
- the tobacco was subjected to a reduced pressure of 64mbar (6.4 kPa) and isopentane vapour in the range 70°C to 90°C was then pumped into the process chamber raising its pressure to 4300 mbar (430 kPa ) .
- the tobacco was maintained in contact with the isopentane for 30 minutes, at the end of which time the pressure had risen to 4964 mbar.
- Example 1 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated on further cycles of tobacco and the results noted in Table 1. Process parameters for Examples 2, 3 and 4 were the same as Example 1 unless stated. The pressure values employed within the process chamber during the full period of the treatment in accordance with Examples 1 to 4 are shown in graphical form in Figures 1 to 4 respectively.
Landscapes
- Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (22)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP95934239A EP1014810B1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | A process for treating tobacco |
DK95934239T DK1014810T3 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | Method of treating tobacco |
BR9510657A BR9510657A (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | Tobacco treatment process |
KR10-1998-0702724A KR100369942B1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | Tobacco Treatment |
US09/051,461 US6082369A (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | Process for treating tobacco |
HU9902609A HU226078B1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | A process for treating tobacco |
RU98109523A RU2141780C1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | Tobacco processing method |
CZ19981175A CZ293038B6 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | Tobacco treatment process |
CA002235267A CA2235267C (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | A process for treating tobacco |
DE1014810T DE1014810T1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | METHOD FOR TREATING TOBACCO |
RO98-00864A RO119219B1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | Process for treating tobacco |
APAP/P/1998/001221A AP793A (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | A process for treating tobacco. |
JP51557797A JP3487862B2 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | How to process tobacco |
DE69530624T DE69530624T2 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF TOBACCO |
NZ294021A NZ294021A (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | A process for treating tobacco |
AT95934239T ATE238701T1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | METHOD FOR TREATING TOBACCO |
AU36705/95A AU698420B2 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | A process for treating tobacco |
PL95326251A PL178189B1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | Method of treating tobacco |
ES95934239T ES2149732T3 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | A PROCEDURE TO TREAT TOBACCO. |
PCT/GB1995/002468 WO1997014322A1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | A process for treating tobacco |
BG102391A BG63813B1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1998-04-16 | Method for tobacco processing |
HK99102385A HK1017831A1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1999-05-27 | A process for treating tobacco |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002235267A CA2235267C (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | A process for treating tobacco |
PCT/GB1995/002468 WO1997014322A1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | A process for treating tobacco |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1997014322A1 true WO1997014322A1 (en) | 1997-04-24 |
Family
ID=25680154
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1995/002468 WO1997014322A1 (en) | 1995-10-19 | 1995-10-19 | A process for treating tobacco |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1014810B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU698420B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2235267C (en) |
CZ (1) | CZ293038B6 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ294021A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1997014322A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9833021B2 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2017-12-05 | Digirettes, Inc. | Disposable tank electronic cigarette, method of manufacture and method of use |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3683937A (en) * | 1970-12-24 | 1972-08-15 | Reynolds Leasing Corp | Tobacco expansion process |
US3753440A (en) * | 1972-03-07 | 1973-08-21 | Reynolds Tobacco Co R | Tobacco expansion process |
-
1995
- 1995-10-19 AU AU36705/95A patent/AU698420B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-10-19 CZ CZ19981175A patent/CZ293038B6/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-10-19 CA CA002235267A patent/CA2235267C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-10-19 WO PCT/GB1995/002468 patent/WO1997014322A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1995-10-19 EP EP95934239A patent/EP1014810B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-10-19 NZ NZ294021A patent/NZ294021A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3683937A (en) * | 1970-12-24 | 1972-08-15 | Reynolds Leasing Corp | Tobacco expansion process |
US3753440A (en) * | 1972-03-07 | 1973-08-21 | Reynolds Tobacco Co R | Tobacco expansion process |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9833021B2 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2017-12-05 | Digirettes, Inc. | Disposable tank electronic cigarette, method of manufacture and method of use |
USD805687S1 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2017-12-19 | Digirettes, Inc. | Vaping device tank |
USD805686S1 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2017-12-19 | Digirettes, Inc. | Vaping device |
US10278428B2 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2019-05-07 | Digirettes, Inc. | Disposable tank electronic cigarette, method of manufacture and method of use |
US10299513B2 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2019-05-28 | Digirettes, Inc. | Disposable tank electronic cigarette, method of manufacture and method of use |
USD857985S1 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2019-08-27 | Digirettes, Inc. | Vaping device |
USD863676S1 (en) | 2014-10-02 | 2019-10-15 | Digirettes, Inc. | Vaping device tank |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1014810B1 (en) | 2003-05-02 |
CA2235267A1 (en) | 1997-04-24 |
AU698420B2 (en) | 1998-10-29 |
CZ293038B6 (en) | 2004-01-14 |
CA2235267C (en) | 2007-01-09 |
AU3670595A (en) | 1997-05-07 |
CZ117598A3 (en) | 1999-11-17 |
NZ294021A (en) | 1998-11-25 |
EP1014810A1 (en) | 2000-07-05 |
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