Tobacco curer
OwnerJames A. Marley, Eugene W. Blountinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for curing tobacco is provided wherein each leaf is conveyed through a dual chamber curer. The stem of the tobacco leaf is disposed within the upper chamber while the leaf is disposed within the lower chamber. A pre-determined temperature difference is maintained between upper and lower chambers so that the stem and leaf are cured in approximately the same time period thereby preventing overcuring of the leaf.
Claims10
An apparatus for curing tobacco comprising:
- (a) a dual chamber duct system for isolating the leaf and stem of the tobacco including an elongated stem chamber for containing the stem of the tobacco, an elongated leaf chamber adjacent to but separated from the stem chamber for containing the leaf of the tobacco, and an elongated slot-like opening communicating between said stem chamber and said leaf chamber through which the stem of the tobacco extends;
- (b) means for conveying said tobacco lengthwise through said duct system, with the leaf of the tobacco taking up a substantial portion of the cross-sectional area of said leaf chamber and the stem of the tobacco projecting through said slot-like opening into said stem chamber;
- and
- (c) an air circulating means for heating and circulating air through said stem chamber and said leaf chamber while said tobacco is conveyed through said duct system said air circulating means including means for independently controlling the temperature of the air within the leaf and stem chambers respectively.
A method for curing tobacco in a curer including an elongated stem chamber adjacent to but separated from said leaf chamber, and a slot-like opening communicating between the leaf chamber and stem chamber, said method comprising:
- (a) isolating the leaf and stem of the tobacco by placing tobacco within said curer so that the leaf of the tobacco is disposed in said leaf chamber and the stem of the tobacco projects through said slot-like opening into said stem chamber;
- and
- (b) circulating heated air of different temperature through said leaf chamber and stem chamber respectively to effect the curing of the tobacco.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.