Patent ID: 7556047
Filing Date: 2009-07-07
Classification: A24B

Abstract:
1. A method for increasing the filling capacity of tobacco, comprising: providing a duct having an inlet and an outlet and defining a flow path, wherein the flow path is an arcuate flow path that is substantially semicircular in shape from inlet to outlet, when viewed from a side elevation, and the duct comprises a substantially horizontal inlet section, a substantially vertical intermediate section in fluid communication with the inlet section, and a substantially horizontal outlet section in fluid communication with the intermediate section; introducing a steam flow into the inlet of the duct, the steam flow having a sufficient temperature to increase the filling capacity of the tobacco and a sufficient flow rate and velocity to convey tobacco through the duct, wherein the steam flow comprises about 85 to about 100 percent steam by weight; introducing a moist tobacco material into the duct downstream from the inlet, wherein the moist tobacco is free from volatile organic or inorganic impregnating compounds other than water, and wherein the moisture content of the tobacco is adjusted to between about 18 and about 26 weight percent based on the total weight of the tobacco prior to introducing the tobacco in the duct; entraining the tobacco in the steam flow; conveying the steam and entrained tobacco along the flow path and toward the outlet, the tobacco undergoing an increase in its filling capacity as the steam and entrained tobacco travel along the flow path; collecting steam and entrained tobacco having increased filling capacity from the outlet of the duct; and separating the steam from the tobacco so collected, wherein tobacco collected from the duct has a filling capacity that is at least about 10% greater than that of the tobacco introduced into the duct.