Tobacco curing apparatus and method
OwnerJack R. Coxinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plurality of foraminous wedge-shaped tobacco leaf containers with leaf impaling means are arranged in a circular array on a plenum foundation having connections with an external burner and blower assembly. A center passage for hot curing air is surrounded by the array of containers and the air flows radially outwardly through the containers and tobacco leaves with the leaves oriented edgewise to the air flow. A return annular air passage surrounding the containers leads back to the plenum and exterior burner and fan assembly. The exterior wall of the apparatus is insulated to confine heat. The air circulation may be reversed in the apparatus.
Claims13
An apparatus for curing tobacco leaves comprising means defining an annular curing air confining enclosure, a plurality of foraminous baskets for leaves adapted to be arranged in a circular array within the enclosure wherein said baskets form a central verical passage in the center of said circular array and an exterior annular return passage defined by the inner wall of the enclosure and the outer wall of said baskets, and means on the baskets adapted to engage masses of tobacco leaves therein and to hold said leaves relatively fixed against appreciable movement during curing with the leaves held approximately edgewise to the direction of curing air flowing therethrough radially between said passages.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.