WO2007033455A1 - A method and a kiln for curing and drying tobacco plants - Google Patents

A method and a kiln for curing and drying tobacco plants Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007033455A1
WO2007033455A1 PCT/BR2006/000195 BR2006000195W WO2007033455A1 WO 2007033455 A1 WO2007033455 A1 WO 2007033455A1 BR 2006000195 W BR2006000195 W BR 2006000195W WO 2007033455 A1 WO2007033455 A1 WO 2007033455A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tobacco plants
kiln
curing
drying
tobacco
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/BR2006/000195
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Winderley Martinelli
Original Assignee
Souza Cruz S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Souza Cruz S.A. filed Critical Souza Cruz S.A.
Publication of WO2007033455A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007033455A1/en

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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
    • A24B1/00—Preparation of tobacco on the plantation
    • A24B1/08—Suspending devices for tobacco leaves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B1/00—Preparation of tobacco on the plantation
    • A24B1/02—Arrangements in barns for preparatory treatment of the tobacco, e.g. with devices for drying

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a method and a kiln for curing and drying tobacco plants, wherein the stems of the tobacco plants are inserted into the kiln in the horizontal position, after the pre-wilting of the plants, and thereby the tobacco leaves assume a substantially vertical position in order to avoid an accumulation of moisture on the surface of the leaf.
  • the harvest, pre-wilting, curing and drying of the tobacco plants is usually performed using two distinct methods: the wire method and the stake method.
  • the stem of the tobacco plant is "slit open” and is left to wilt in the field to facilitate its subsequent transportation.
  • the tobacco plants are hanged by the "slit” from wires provided inside the kiln until completion of the curing and drying of the tobacco leaves.
  • the tobacco plant is cut and pre-wilted in the field to facilitate its subsequent transportation.
  • the stems of the tobacco plants are fastened to stakes and taken to a processing unit for wilting/yellowing, such as the GBl unit marketed by the Souza Cruz company.
  • the tobacco plants are carried to a Shed wherein is completed the curing and drying of the leaves.
  • the daily yield of the crop is approximately 830 plants harvested per person, per day.
  • the method according to the present invention provides results in the order of 2,700 plants harvested per person, per day, thereby representing an increase in productivity of approximately 225%.
  • One object of the present invention consists in reducing the number of steps of the process of harvesting and loading the kiln, providing a reduction of labor requirements, and increased productivity of harvest per person, unloading, sorting and classification of the tobacco plants, thus allowing an increase in the growing modulus.
  • Such object is achieved by means of the reduction of the labor required to prepare the tobacco plants to be loaded into the kiln, associated with the transportation of the tobacco plants with the stem in the horizontal position and the leaves in a substantially vertical position.
  • Another object of the present invention consists in the provision of tobacco leaves of better quality, with a low percentage of dark tobacco and more improved color uniformity in the leaf.
  • Such object is achieved by means of the pre-wilting of the tobacco plants in the vertical position and curing and drying with the stem in the horizontal position and the leaves in a substantially vertical position.
  • Such arrangement allows a lesser accumulation of moisture in the tobacco leaves, since they are in a substantially vertical position, thus minimizing the deterioration thereof.
  • the present invention refers to a method for curing and drying tobacco plants, wherein during the step of curing and drying the stems of the tobacco plants are provided in an approximately horizontal position and the leaves of the tobacco plants are provided in an approximately vertical position.
  • the present invention refers to a kiln for curing and drying the tobacco plants wherein are provided elements to engage the stems of the tobacco plants in the substantially horizontal position.
  • Figure 1 is a drawing of a tobacco plant.
  • Figure 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the kiln according to the present invention.
  • Figure 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the kiln of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of the method of the present invention. Detailed description of the invention
  • the present invention refers to a method and a kiln for curing and drying tobacco plants.
  • the method according to the present invention is characterized by comprising the steps of: harvesting 100 the tobacco plants 2; storing 200 the tobacco plants 2 with the stem 3 in the substantially vertical position; waiting 300 for the pre-wilting of the leaves 4 of the tobacco plants until the stem is substantially wilted; loading 400 the kiln for curing and drying the tobacco plants, engaging the stems 3 of the tobacco plants in the substantially horizontal position, thus causing the leaves of the tobacco plants to assume a substantially vertical position; and curing and drying 500 the tobacco plants.
  • the step of waiting until pre-wilting of the tobacco plants involves a period of approximately three days. However, this period of time may vary substantially according to the site weather conditions and the type of the tobacco plant.
  • the curing and drying of the tobacco plants 2 take place without forced circulation of air within the kiln and at ambient temperature and humidity, thereby taking approximately 30 days to be completed.
  • this delay may vary substantially, as it also depends on the local weather conditions and on the type of the tobacco plant.
  • the tobacco plants used in the present invention be of the burley type, but there is no impediment for using other types of tobacco leaves.
  • the kiln for curing and drying tobacco plants 1 comprises a supporting frame 5; a cover 6; and elements 7 to engage the stems of the tobacco plants in the substantially horizontal position.
  • the kiln does not comprise a forced air flow system, however there is no restriction to the use thereof in kilns with forced circulation of air.
  • the supporting frame 5 of the kiln 1 may be made of wood and formed by a plurality of laths. Over the structure there is provided a cover 6 that serves to protect the tobacco plants housed inside the kiln. Usually the cover may protect the kiln as a whole, that is, over the top and the sides.
  • the cover may consist in a tarp made of plastic material,, preferably transparent to allow incidence of sunlight, to increase the temperature and decrease the humidity of the air during the day.
  • the elements 7 for engaging the stems of the tobacco plants in the horizontal position are mounted in the frame 5 and may be made of wood.
  • the elements for engaging the stems of the tobacco plants in the horizontal position are wooden laths that are fixed transversally to the front section of the frame ( Figure 2), whereby the stem of the tobacco plant will be engaged in the span formed between every two laths.
  • the floor of the kiln 1 consists usually in the soil itself of the area where the kiln was installed.
  • the present invention is also applicable to kilns having a floor built at the base of the frame 5.
  • the provision of the stems 3 of the tobacco plants 2 in the substantially horizontal position causes the tobacco leaves 4 to assume a substantially vertical position.
  • Such arrangement avoids the accumulation of moisture on the surface of the leaf, which is mainly caused by the overlapping of leaves in the conventional system.
  • Such accumulation of moisture causes a darkening of the tobacco leaf, impairing the quality of the end product. Therefore, the present invention provides a substantial quality improvement in curing and drying of tobacco.
  • the tobacco plants 2 are simply engaged in the elements 7, which minimizes the time required to load the kiln 1, increasing the productivity of the producer, both when loading and unloading.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
  • Manufacture Of Tobacco Products (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention refers to a method and a kiln for curing and drying tobacco plants, wherein the stems (3) of the tobacco plants (2) are engaged within the kiln (1) in the horizontal position and thereby the tobacco leaves (4) assume a substantially vertical position avoiding the accumulation of moisture on the surface of the leaf.

Description

"A METHOD AND A KILN FOR CURING AND DRYING TOBACCO PLANTS"
Field of the invention The present invention refers to a method and a kiln for curing and drying tobacco plants, wherein the stems of the tobacco plants are inserted into the kiln in the horizontal position, after the pre-wilting of the plants, and thereby the tobacco leaves assume a substantially vertical position in order to avoid an accumulation of moisture on the surface of the leaf.
Prior art
The harvest, pre-wilting, curing and drying of the tobacco plants is usually performed using two distinct methods: the wire method and the stake method.
In the wire method, the stem of the tobacco plant is "slit open" and is left to wilt in the field to facilitate its subsequent transportation. After this step, the tobacco plants are hanged by the "slit" from wires provided inside the kiln until completion of the curing and drying of the tobacco leaves.
In the stake method, the tobacco plant is cut and pre-wilted in the field to facilitate its subsequent transportation. After this step, the stems of the tobacco plants are fastened to stakes and taken to a processing unit for wilting/yellowing, such as the GBl unit marketed by the Souza Cruz company. After this step, the tobacco plants are carried to a Shed wherein is completed the curing and drying of the leaves. Both in the above methods and in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the curing and drying of the tobacco plants occur at ambient temperature and humidity and without forced air flow.
In the above described methods, the daily yield of the crop is approximately 830 plants harvested per person, per day. In contrast, the method according to the present invention provides results in the order of 2,700 plants harvested per person, per day, thereby representing an increase in productivity of approximately 225%.
One object of the present invention consists in reducing the number of steps of the process of harvesting and loading the kiln, providing a reduction of labor requirements, and increased productivity of harvest per person, unloading, sorting and classification of the tobacco plants, thus allowing an increase in the growing modulus. Such object is achieved by means of the reduction of the labor required to prepare the tobacco plants to be loaded into the kiln, associated with the transportation of the tobacco plants with the stem in the horizontal position and the leaves in a substantially vertical position.
Another object of the present invention consists in the provision of tobacco leaves of better quality, with a low percentage of dark tobacco and more improved color uniformity in the leaf. Such object is achieved by means of the pre-wilting of the tobacco plants in the vertical position and curing and drying with the stem in the horizontal position and the leaves in a substantially vertical position. Such arrangement allows a lesser accumulation of moisture in the tobacco leaves, since they are in a substantially vertical position, thus minimizing the deterioration thereof.
Summary of the Invention
In a first aspect, the present invention refers to a method for curing and drying tobacco plants, wherein during the step of curing and drying the stems of the tobacco plants are provided in an approximately horizontal position and the leaves of the tobacco plants are provided in an approximately vertical position.
In a second aspect, the present invention refers to a kiln for curing and drying the tobacco plants wherein are provided elements to engage the stems of the tobacco plants in the substantially horizontal position.
Description of the figures
Figure 1 is a drawing of a tobacco plant.
Figure 2 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the kiln according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the kiln of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flow diagram of the method of the present invention. Detailed description of the invention
The present invention refers to a method and a kiln for curing and drying tobacco plants.
The method according to the present invention is characterized by comprising the steps of: harvesting 100 the tobacco plants 2; storing 200 the tobacco plants 2 with the stem 3 in the substantially vertical position; waiting 300 for the pre-wilting of the leaves 4 of the tobacco plants until the stem is substantially wilted; loading 400 the kiln for curing and drying the tobacco plants, engaging the stems 3 of the tobacco plants in the substantially horizontal position, thus causing the leaves of the tobacco plants to assume a substantially vertical position; and curing and drying 500 the tobacco plants.
Usually the step of waiting until pre-wilting of the tobacco plants involves a period of approximately three days. However, this period of time may vary substantially according to the site weather conditions and the type of the tobacco plant.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the curing and drying of the tobacco plants 2 take place without forced circulation of air within the kiln and at ambient temperature and humidity, thereby taking approximately 30 days to be completed. However, this delay may vary substantially, as it also depends on the local weather conditions and on the type of the tobacco plant.
It is preferred that the tobacco plants used in the present invention be of the burley type, but there is no impediment for using other types of tobacco leaves.
The kiln for curing and drying tobacco plants 1 according to the present invention comprises a supporting frame 5; a cover 6; and elements 7 to engage the stems of the tobacco plants in the substantially horizontal position.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the kiln does not comprise a forced air flow system, however there is no restriction to the use thereof in kilns with forced circulation of air.
The supporting frame 5 of the kiln 1 may be made of wood and formed by a plurality of laths. Over the structure there is provided a cover 6 that serves to protect the tobacco plants housed inside the kiln. Usually the cover may protect the kiln as a whole, that is, over the top and the sides. The cover may consist in a tarp made of plastic material,, preferably transparent to allow incidence of sunlight, to increase the temperature and decrease the humidity of the air during the day.
The elements 7 for engaging the stems of the tobacco plants in the horizontal position are mounted in the frame 5 and may be made of wood. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elements for engaging the stems of the tobacco plants in the horizontal position are wooden laths that are fixed transversally to the front section of the frame (Figure 2), whereby the stem of the tobacco plant will be engaged in the span formed between every two laths. The floor of the kiln 1 consists usually in the soil itself of the area where the kiln was installed. However, the present invention is also applicable to kilns having a floor built at the base of the frame 5.
The provision of the stems 3 of the tobacco plants 2 in the substantially horizontal position causes the tobacco leaves 4 to assume a substantially vertical position. Such arrangement avoids the accumulation of moisture on the surface of the leaf, which is mainly caused by the overlapping of leaves in the conventional system. Such accumulation of moisture causes a darkening of the tobacco leaf, impairing the quality of the end product. Therefore, the present invention provides a substantial quality improvement in curing and drying of tobacco.
The tobacco plants 2 are simply engaged in the elements 7, which minimizes the time required to load the kiln 1, increasing the productivity of the producer, both when loading and unloading.
Although the invention has been described based on a specific embodiment thereof, there may be introduced modifications by technicians skilled in the art that will remain within the spirit and scope of the basic inventive concept thereof.

Claims

1. A method of curing and drying tobacco plants, characterized by comprising the steps of: i) harvesting of the tobacco plants (100); ii) storage of the tobacco plants with the stem in a substantially vertical position (200); iii) wait for the pre-wilting of the leafstalk of the tobacco plants (300); iv) loading (400) of the kiln for curing and drying the tobacco plants (1), engaging the stems (3) of the tobacco plants (2) in a substantially horizontal position, causing the leaves (4) of the tobacco plants (2) to assume a substantially vertical position; and v) curing and drying the tobacco plants (500).
2. A method, according to claim 1, characterized in that in step iii) the tobacco plants are pre-wilted after a period of approximately three days.
3. A method, according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that step v) takes place without provision of forced air flow within the kiln.
4. A method, according to claim 3, characterized in that step v) has a duration of approximately 30 days.
5. A method, according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tobacco plants (2) are of the burley type.
6. A method, according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that step v) takes place at ambient temperature and humidity.
7. A kiln for curing and drying tobacco plants (1), characterized by comprising: a supporting frame (5); cover means (6); and elements (7) for engaging the stems of the tobacco plants in a substantially horizontal position.
8. A kiln, according to claim 7, characterized in that the supporting frame is formed by a plurality of wooden laths (5).
9. A kiln, according to any of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the cover means (6) is a tarp made of a plastic material.
10. A kiln, according to claim 9, characterized in that the tarp made of plastic material is transparent.
11. A kiln, according to any of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the frame (5) is made of wood.
12. A kiln, according to any of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the elements (7) for engaging the stems of the tobacco plants in the horizontal position are wooden laths, wherein the stems (3) of the plants (2) are engaged in the open spans formed between the wooden laths (7).
13. a kiln, according to claim 12, characterized in that the elements (7) are positioned transversally to the front section of the frame (5).
PCT/BR2006/000195 2005-09-26 2006-09-25 A method and a kiln for curing and drying tobacco plants WO2007033455A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BRPI0504416-2 2005-09-26
BRPI0504416-2A BRPI0504416B1 (en) 2005-09-26 2005-09-26 Method and greenhouse for curing and drying tobacco plants.

Publications (1)

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WO2007033455A1 true WO2007033455A1 (en) 2007-03-29

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014032784A1 (en) * 2012-08-29 2014-03-06 Philip Morris Products S.A. Processing sun-cured tobacco
CN111802684A (en) * 2020-08-11 2020-10-23 云南农业大学 Baking method for autumn tobaccos in high-altitude tobacco growing area

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3107018A (en) * 1961-08-07 1963-10-15 Jr William A Mish Tobacco harvester
US3510009A (en) * 1968-07-31 1970-05-05 Harrington Mfg Co Tobacco rack
US3709391A (en) * 1971-03-11 1973-01-09 Bomac Mfg Corp Tobacco stripping stand assembly
US4016985A (en) * 1975-02-14 1977-04-12 John Charles Green Combination bulk tobacco rack loader and unloader and method of unloading a bulk tobacco rack
US5362190A (en) * 1992-12-08 1994-11-08 Eaton Jay S Method for gathering cut tobacco stalks

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3107018A (en) * 1961-08-07 1963-10-15 Jr William A Mish Tobacco harvester
US3510009A (en) * 1968-07-31 1970-05-05 Harrington Mfg Co Tobacco rack
US3709391A (en) * 1971-03-11 1973-01-09 Bomac Mfg Corp Tobacco stripping stand assembly
US4016985A (en) * 1975-02-14 1977-04-12 John Charles Green Combination bulk tobacco rack loader and unloader and method of unloading a bulk tobacco rack
US5362190A (en) * 1992-12-08 1994-11-08 Eaton Jay S Method for gathering cut tobacco stalks

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014032784A1 (en) * 2012-08-29 2014-03-06 Philip Morris Products S.A. Processing sun-cured tobacco
CN104602550A (en) * 2012-08-29 2015-05-06 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 Processing sun-cured tobacco
CN111802684A (en) * 2020-08-11 2020-10-23 云南农业大学 Baking method for autumn tobaccos in high-altitude tobacco growing area

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AR057138A1 (en) 2007-11-21
BRPI0504416B1 (en) 2013-02-05
BRPI0504416A (en) 2007-06-12

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