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US 3,970,091 AGranted
Cryogenic threshing of tobacco
AssigneeBrown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
InventorsJon F. Banks, Eugene F. Livesay, Reynold W. Martin
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Abstract
A process is disclosed for separating tobacco stems from tobacco leaves which comprises freezing the leaves, subjecting them to flexing to break the lamina free from the stems, and then separating the stems from the lamina. Generally, it is preferable to freeze the tobacco leaves, at a temperature between about 0.degree.C. and -210.degree.C., and to flex the frozen leaves as gently as possible to leave the stem unbroken.
Claims14
A process of removing tobacco stem and vein structures from tobacco leaves comprising:
- a. cooling said leaves to a temperature of between 0.degree.C and about -210.degree.C whereby said tobacco leaves are frozen;
- b. flexing said frozen leaves whereby tobacco lamina is broken free from said stem and vein structures;
- and
- c. separating said stem and vein structures from said lamina.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.