METHOD OF TREATING TOBACCO WITH FLAVORANTS IN A PNEUMATIC SYSTEM

• US 3,678,939 A
• Filed: 11/13/1970
• Issued: 07/25/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Melvin G. Christy, Robert L. Key III
• Original Assignee: Melvin G. Christy, Robert L. Key III
• Inventors: Key, Robert L. III, Christy, Melvin G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rein, Melvin D.
• Application Number:
  US05/089,296
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 131/2,15,17,140-144,138,136
• US Class Current: 131/304
• CPC Class Codes: A24B 15/28 by chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A24B 3/12 Steaming, curing, or flavouring tobacco

Abstract

This disclosure is directed to a continuous method of applying additives to tobacco in a closed system. The product obtained does not require the customary bulking operation. In carrying out the method the tobacco, which is at a temperature of between 130*-180* C, is fed into a pneumatic system and carried by air blown within the conduit of the system to a point downstream from the feedin at which point flavoring solution is dispersed within the tobacco mass. The tobacco is then separated from the air mass and the air, which is reduced in temperature to about 50* to 70* C., is then recirculated in the conduit to come into contact with a fresh supply of hot tobacco.

Claims

1. The method of treating hot cut tobacco which comprises, a. driving air through a conduit, b. feeding said tobacco into said conduit in contact with said air, c. injecting a flavoring solution into and dispersing it in said conduit in contact with said tobacco, wherein said step of injecting the flavoring solution is carried out downstream from the feeding of said tobacco, d. separating said tobacco from said air and discharging said tobacco from said conduit, e. cooling said air subsequent to separating said tobacco therefrom, and f. recirculating said air through said conduit and into said contact with said hot cut tobacco.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said hot cut tobacco is at a temperature of from about 130*-180* C, said air is at a temperature of about 50* to 70* C when brought into contact with said tobacco.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein after discharging said tobacco from said conduit it is made directly into a final tobacco product without a bulking step.