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US 9,066,538 B2Granted
Cured tobacco and method therefor
AssigneeR.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
InventorsGong Chen, Michael Francis Dube, Daniel Verdin Cantrell, Jerry Wayne Marshall, Frank Kelley St. Charles, Huamin Gan, Cheryl Cooper Scott, Barry Smith Fagg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided for curing tobacco. The method includes steps of wilting, bruising, aerating, and drying tobacco, where each of the steps is measured in hours or days rather than months. In some aspects, aeration may take two to twelve hours or less. In some aspects, the entire curing method may be completed in 24 hours or less.
Claims17
A method for curing tobacco, said method comprising steps of:
- receiving green leaf tobacco;
- wilting the tobacco to reduce its moisture content;
- next bruising the tobacco, including chopping, cutting, tearing, or shredding the tobacco, or any combination thereof;
- next aerating the tobacco in a manner configured to promote oxidation;
- and
- thereafter drying the tobacco to a moisture content below about 20%;
- wherein the step of aerating comprises spreading the tobacco out substantially in a single layer upon a surface configured to provide air flow around the tobacco and is conducted for twelve hours or less.
4 more elements
A method for curing tobacco for oral use, said method comprising steps of:
- receiving green leaf tobacco;
- removing midribs from leaves of the tobacco;
- wilting the tobacco to reduce its moisture content to below about 70% but not below about 50%;
- bruising the tobacco by cutting, chopping, tearing, and/or shredding it;
- thereafter, aerating the tobacco in a manner configured to promote oxidation for a time of six hours or less;
- and
- drying the aerated tobacco to a moisture content below about 10%;
- wherein the step of aerating comprises spreading the tobacco out substantially in a single layer upon a surface configured to provide air flow around the tobacco.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.