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US 8,807,141 B2Granted
Conditioning process for tobacco and/or snuff compositions
AssigneeU.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company LLC
InventorsJames C. Breslin, Scott A. Williams, Jerry B. Eilliot, Frank Scott Atchley, Vernie A. Due
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process is provided for producing smokeless tobacco and/or snuff compositions using steam alone in an open vessel or in combination with pressure and venting to alter organoleptic properties of the smokeless tobacco and/or snuff compositions.
Claims16
A process for producing a steam conditioned tobacco and/or snuff composition comprising:
- contacting tobacco and/or snuff with a gaseous composition comprising steam in a non-pressurized team preconditioner, wherein the steam is freely vented from the tobacco and/or snuff during said contacting step, wherein the steam raises the temperature of the tobacco and/or snuff to about 215° F. to about 230° F., and wherein the contacting step increases the moisture content of the tobacco and/or snuff, wherein the tobacco and/or snuff has a moisture content of about 5 to about 40 weight percent after said contacting step;
- heating the steam conditioned tobacco and/or snuff at a moisture content of about 5 to about 40 weight percent in a mechanical extruder, the mechanical extruder having a temperature and conveyance rate effective for providing a pressure of at least about 130 psi;
- and
- venting the heated tobacco and/or snuff after attaining a pressure of at least about 130 psi
- to obtain a conditioned smokeless tobacco and/or snuff.
2 more elements
A process for producing a steam conditioned tobacco and/or snuff composition comprising:
- contacting tobacco and/or snuff with a gaseous composition comprising steam in a non-pressurized steam preconditioner, wherein the steam is freely vented from the tobacco and/or snuff during said contacting step, wherein the steam raises the temperature of the tobacco and/or snuff to about 215° F. to about 230° F., and wherein the contacting step increases the moisture content of the tobacco and/or snuff, wherein the tobacco and/or snuff prior to said contacting step is at a pH of about 7.0 to about 9.0, wherein the duration of said contacting step is 10 to 60 minutes;
- heating the steam conditioned tobacco and/or snuff at a moisture content of about 5 to about 40 weight percent in a mechanical extruder, the mechanical extruder having a temperature and conveyance rate effective for providing a pressure of at least about 130 psi;
- and
- venting the heated tobacco and/or snuff after attaining a pressure of at least about 130 psi to obtain a conditioned smokeless tobacco and/or snuff.
1 more element
A process for producing a steam conditioned tobacco and/or snuff composition comprising
- contacting tobacco and/or snuff with a gaseous composition consisting essentially of steam in a non-pressurized steam preconditioner, wherein the steam is freely vented from the tobacco and/or snuff during said contacting step;
- heating the steam conditioned tobacco and/or snuff at a moisture content of about 5 to about 40 weight percent in a mechanical extruder, the mechanical extruder having a temperature and conveyance rate effective for providing a pressure of at least about 130 psi;
- and
- venting the heated tobacco and/or snuff after attaining a pressure of at least about 130 psi to obtain a conditioned smokeless tobacco and/or snuff.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.