US2121369A - Method for treating tobacco - Google Patents

Description

June 21, 1938. R. D. ToUToN 2,121,359

METHOD FOR` TREATING TOBACCO original Filed Feb. 15, 1930 2 sheets-sheet 2 Panarea June 21, 193s PATENT OFFICE METHOD FOR TREATING TOBACCO Rush D. Tonton, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Wm'ton Machine Company, Philadelphia., lennsylvania Pa., a corporation oi' Original application February 13, 1930, Serial Divided and this application June 21, 1933, Serial No. 676,969

39 Claims.

This application is a division of a joint :application filed by the applicant herein jointly with Harry P. Wurman, February 13, 1930, Serial No. 428,022, which said application inadvertently contained claims for the sole inventions of the applicants.

This invention relates to a method for treating tobacco and more particularly for conditioning tobacco in connection with the manufacture of cigars, cigarettes, etc.

As is well known tobacco is harvested, formed into hands or bunches, air dried and baled for convenience in shipment and storage. The baled.

tobacco as received by manufacturers, for example, of cigars, is in a dry and brittle condition, in which it cannot be fabricated. The `dry tobacco has been heretofore'generally conditioned for fabrication by dipping it into water, permitting the water to be absorbed by the tobacco and then fabricating the tobacco while in a moist state, under atmospheric conditions such that the major part of the moisture; derived from the conditioning is retained.

In the conditioning of tobacco, it is desirable that the tobacco be given the optimum moisture content, since its workability and subsequent flavor depends largely upon avoidance of a deiiciency or excess of moisture. However, tobacco is known to be of hygroscopic nature, though different types will vary in hygroscopicity, hence it is necessary for optimum results to carefully control the conditioning of tobacco and the atmospheric conditions under which it is fabricated.

'I'he methods heretofore used for conditioning tobacco, and especially the method generally used and involving dipping of the tobacco in water, are substantially unsatisfactory, since they do not operate to provide the tobacco with the optimum moisture content, are diicult to control, and deleteriously affect the tobacco in connection with its flavor, color, etc.

Now, it is the object of this invention to provide a method by which tobacco may be conditioned with accuracy and assurance so `that the tobacco, of whatever type, when conditioned will contain the optimum moisture content for fabrication and for the maintenance of its flavor and color, and at the same time to provide a method which may be readily carried out and controlled and an apparatus which will be simple and economical in construction and operation.

'In accordance with the method `embodying this invention, the conditioning of tobacco is effected, Without preliminary wetting, in a moisture containing, or humid, atmosphere at a temperature lower than that obtaining in the work room where the tobacco is fabricated. Further, in accordance with this invention motion is imparted to the tobacco in its conditioning. Desirably the tobacco is conditioned in air substantially saturated With moisture at the temperature obtaining `and is fabricated in air containing moisture substantially below the saturation point at the temperature obtaining, which is higher than that of the conditioning atmosphere.

In accordance with this invention motion is desirably imparted to thetobacco and` humid air is circulated about the tobacco. The tobacco may be continuously or intermittently moved and subjected to streams of humid air during the conditioning period. When, as is desirable, the tobacco is in the form of hands during the conditioning the hands are opened up either manually, or as a result of the movement impartedto the tobacco, or by air circulation, or currents, or as a result of the combined eifect of movement and air circulation or currents.

11n carrying the method embodying this invention into practice there is desirably maintained a differential between the temperature of the conditioning room and that of the work room of within about the range 0.5 F.-25 F. In the conditioning room the air will desirably contain moisture within about the range 90%-100% relative humidity and the temperature will desirably be within about the range 40 F.80 F. within which range the formation on the tobacco leaves of water globules such as would tend to spot the leaves will be substantially retarded or avoided. The desired relative humidity in the conditioning room will be maintained through the :admission thereto of suitably conditioned humid air. The VWork room will desirably be maintained at a temperature within about the range 65 lik-85 F., depending upon the temperature obtaining in the conditioning room, and the I air will desirably carry moisture within about the range 60 %-80% relative humidity.

`lis illustrative of the practical adaptation of bacco passes in its movement. The air introduced will maintain the air in the conditioning room in motion as will the movement of the tobacco. ,The conditions of moisture 'and temperature in the conditioning room'may be maintained by providing, in addition to the introduction of suitably conditioned humid air, a ilow of water over a wall, or walls, of the room, which may be of porous materlal, and by providing a heating means, as a steam radiator, if necessary. The conditioning of the tobacco under the conditions outlined above. depending upon the type of tobacco treated, will require from'about 4 hours to about 48 hours, though it will be appreciated that under variation of the conditions, which it will be understood are contemplated as variable within wide limits, the time required for conditioning will vary over that given by way of example, de-V pendingupontheparticulartypeoftobacco treated. v

When the tobacco has reached the proper condition under the conditions outlined above, that is, has absorbed the requisite amount of moisture, itisfabricatedinaworkroominwhichtheair isatatemperatureofabout'l F. andhasa moistln'e content of about 70% relative humidity, at the temperature obtaining.

The practical adaptation of the method embodying this invention will appear in greater detail from the following description, with refer- -encetotheaccompanyingdrawingaofapreferred embodiment of apparatus for carrying out this invention.

In the drawings:

Figure lisadiagrammaticviewofan apparatm for conditioning fabricating tobacco for carrying out this inveni:lon. v

Figure 2 is a side elwation showing details of construction of the apparatus.

'll'igureiiisacrosssectional-viewofthesubiect:

.is a fabricating room F, which may be connected with the conditioner, or may be remote therefrom. In the several figures e, e' indicate a pair of y suitably mounted shafts, spaced at a distance `fromeachotherandeachcarryingapairof sprockets f over which pass chains o, from which lugs h. extend laterally at intervals and to which in turn are connected strips i, as shown in Figure 4. The chains g and connected strips i form an endless carrier or conveyor which is driven by means of a motor i connected to the shaft e through a reduction gearing k. The upper reach of the conveyor is depressed toward the lower reach adjacent to the shaft e by passage of the chains under pulleys I carried by a suitably mounted idle shaft. while beyond the pulleys l the upper reach is raised away from the lower reach and supported by suitably supported idle pulleys 1n. m'. Y

The strips i are each provided at intervals with resilient means for holding and supporting hands bacco, or the air may be introduced in streams adjacent the tobacco and through which the toof the strip beneath supports p,which comprise4 circular members supported from legs. formed of wire, or embodied in a casting, secured to the side of the strip beyond the ends-*ofthe springs o.

Adjacent to one sideof the conveyor formed by the chains a and strips i is positioned an air box or manifold q connected to the conditioning apparatus C, which may be of any efllcient type, though it is preferred that it be of the type in which the fan forces rathery than draws the air, by means of a conduit r iltted with a butterfly valve s. The air box is also connected by conduits Vt with air distributors u of a length and width desirably, though not necessarily, about equal to the length and width of the conveyor and positioned respectively above and below the upper and lower reaches of the conveyor and between the conveyor, as shown in Figure 3. The air distributors are provided with outlets v in the line of travel of the tobacco holding and supporting means carried by the conveyor, the outlets in the distributors positioned above and below the upper and lower reaches of the conveyor being provided in their lower and upper sides respectively and the distributor positioned between the reaches being provided with outlets v inbothsldes,allasshowninFigure 3.

A pipe or conduit w is led from the air box q and extended transversely of the conveyor adjacent to its line of passage over sprockets f, the

pipe being provided with nozzles :r directed toward and in line with the line of travel of the tobacco holding and supporting means on the conveyor, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.

It will be understood that the purpose of the conditioning apparatus is to supply suitably conditioned air at the' temperature desired and hence that the apparatus may supply or extract moisture to or from air supplied to it. Likewise, under certain conditions the available air supply may be required to be cooled, while under other conditions it may be required to be heated to obtain the desired temperature.

' The apparatus described may, if desired, be provided with means for varying the relative humidity of the air supplied to the tobacco, or the amount of humid air, when the tobacco has been fully conditioned. As illustrative. for example, the butteriiy valve s in the conduit r leading from the humidifier to the air box is provided with an arm y to which is connected a wire z passed over a pair of pulleys 2 and connected to a frame 3 by which, for example, the smaller guide rolls 1n' are carried beneath the upper reaches of chains g. The weight of the frame 3 and rolls m' is counterbalanced by a weight 4 -attached to arm y, so that normally the arm is positioned with the butterily valve open to the desired extent. As the tobacco takes up moisture, the weight tending to operate arm y will increase and the counterweight is so regulated that when the requisite moisture has been absorbed by the tobacco, the additional weight thereof will cause frame 3 to fall against the action of the counterwelght and shut ofi the butterfly valve, thus shutting oif the supply of moisture to the tobacco and suspending the conditioning. Alternatively, a valve 5 provided in the water supply pipe i to the humidifier is provided with an arm l connected to a pair of solenolds I and 9 connected to a source of power, as a battery il and respectively to terminals il and I2 of a two way switch, the movable element I3 of which is connected to the source of power u and which supports a container Il adapted to hold tobacco I6. The element I3 may, for example, be a lever fulcrumed at a point i5 and balanced so that it will contact with the contact l2 and cause the solenoid 9 to be energized when the tobacco in container I4 is unconditioned and so that under the increased weight of moisture .absorbed by the tobacco when it is conditioned, it

will contact with contact Il and cause solenoid l to be energized. The solenoid 9, when energized, positionsvalve 5 to permit the passage of water to the humidier while the solenoid 8, when energized, positions the valves to decrease thefwater supply. Hence the supply of moisture to the tobacco Ion the carrier or conveyor will be shut oil when the tobacco is fully conditioned, since the condition of the sample in container Il is typical of that of the tobacco on the carrier.

The carrying out of the method embodying this invention will, it is believed, be understood in connectionwith the description of the operation of the apparatus above described.

The room A, containing the apparatus above described, as has been indicated, is maintained at a temperature within about the range 40 F.80 F., and preferably at about 65 F., it being contemplated that the tobacco contained in the room A will be fabricated in a work room, as the room F the temperature of which is from 0.5 F. to about 25 F., higher than that in the room A. Desirably the temperature in the work room is maintained about 5 F. above that mainthe absorption of moisture from the air by the tobacco under treatment, radiation losses, etc. The air in the'work room will have a higher temperature and a relative humidity substantially below the saturation point, say for example,

labout 70% relative humidity.

Assuming now that the conditions of temperature and relative humidity of the air in the room A is as described above, say relatively saturated with moisture at a tnperature of F. and that hands of dry tobacco I1 have been applied to the carrier or conveyor, as illustrated in Figure 4, from an inspection of which it will be noted that the butts of the leaves are engaged by the springs o, while the leaves are supported by the supporting means p, the carrier is set in motion by starting motor 9', which acts to drive the conveyor slowly in the direction of the arrows, Figure 2.

vAs the conveyor passes over the sprockets j, it

will be noted that humid air is projected into the hands from the pipe u, acting to open the hands or spread the leaves, at the same time passage of the conveyor about sprockets f and down under the roll l causes the hands to be opened up as though they were gently shaken. In the passage of the tobacco around the roll f, the tobacco hands are subjected to a stream of conditioned air, issuing from the nozzles :c extending from the pipe w, and directed'to strike the hands of tobacco laterally on one side of the hands. In the continued travel of the conveyor, the leaves or the hands of tobacco on the upper reach of the conveyor are subjected to humid air projected against or into them through the outlets v from the upper air distributor u, while at the same time humid air is projected against the butts of the leaves from the outlets on the `'upper side of the central distributor u. As the conveyor passes around the pulleys l', the leaves are again treated, as though they were gently shaken and in the travel of the conveyor the leaves are again subjected to humid air issuing from the loutlets v of the lower air distributor u, while the butts are again subjected to humid air issuing from the outlets in the lower side of the central air distributor.

The travel of the conveyor thus carries the tobacco through streams of humid air directed against the leaves and butts and, at the same time, gives the hands of tobacco a motion like gentle shaking, which operates to spread the leaves forming the hands. The hands, the butts of which are secured by means of the resilient, helical springs, are not injured and the helical springs adapt themselves to the holding of hands of different sizes, while the supporting means serve to support the separated leaves, holding the hands without injury to the leaves, which in the initial stage of the conditioning treatment are in a dry and brittle state. During the treatment of the tobacco the humid air, as willbe understood, is supplied to the distributors through the conduit r, air box q and conduit t, while the pipe w also receives humid air from the air box. 'I'he air conditioner, which is desirably of the type having a fan for forcing humid air into and through the apparatus rather than for drawing it therethrough, is adjusted to maintain the desired relative humidity and dew-point, of

the air directed against the tobacco and within thev room A. The intake of the conditioner is desirably fromthe room A, as indicated at i0, Figure 1, and under the conditions above given as desirable, the conditioner is adjusted to effect complete change 'of the air in the room A about three times per minute, though under varying conditions complete change of air in room A may be desirably at the rate of one to four times or more per minute.

It will be understood that the tobacco in motion in the air in room A and subjected to the streams of air directed at it from the air distributors absorbs moisture. Under the limitations of conditions of temperature and hence of quantitative moisture content of the air, the tobacco will gradually absorb the requisite moisture within a period of from about 4 to about 48 hours, depending upon the type and hygroscopicity of the tobacco under treatment. When the tobacco has acquired the desired moisture contentl or, in other words, has been properly conditioned. it is removed from the conveyor, prepared for fabrication as by the removal of the stems, etc. and then fabricated under the conditions indicated, that is, in air at a temperature desirably about 5 F, higher than that obtaining in the conditioning room.

vIt will be understood that air may be forced into the conditioning room in such a manner as to cause circulation of air therein and about the tobacco in the carrier and that the streams of air from the air distributors may be omitted, also it will be understood that the conveyor may be driven intermittently rather than continuously.

In connection with the method in accordance with this invention, I contemplate the use of means for automatically regulating theksupply of moisture to the air supplied to the tobacco or of controlling the quantity of humid air and hence the quantity of moisture made available to the tobacco when the tobacco has' become fully conditioned. Means embodying such detail of this invention are illustrated by and have been described with reference to Figures 5 and 6, from an inspection oi' which it will be noted that the cuttingl of! of thesupply of humid air to the air box q and hence to the conditioning room A is effected through the medium of a butterfly valve s, which controla conduit r. the valve being normally open to' `permit the passage of a desired amount of humid air and being closed to cut down the air supply through the action of the increased weight of the moisture absorbed by the tobacco when fully conditioned upon the rolls m' carried by the frame l, as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, the supply of humid air may be shut oil' through control of the water supply to the conditioner, as shown in Figure 5. in which a valve on the water supply line is adapted to be 'shut oi! through the increased weight of a sample of tobacco placed in the conditioning room acting to throw the two way switch to energize a solenoid operably connected with the water valve. Y

' The method in accordance with this invention will be found to be highly advantageous in connection with the conditioning of tobacco, since colnpletecontrol of the conditions under which conditioningis carried out is enabled and at the same time. due to motion. continuous or inter- 'lnittent imparted to the tobacco during conditioning the conditioning is effected with uniformity.

When conditioning of the tobacco is eifected as above outlined, the tobacco will be found to be in an optimum condition for fabrication and may be fabricated without material loss of moisture. since the tobacco during the time required for fabrication is generallycooler than the air in which it is fabricated so that rapid evaporation doel not take place, with the result that the fabricated tobacco will be found to have retained to a maximum degree its natural color, iiavor and elasticity.

It will be understood that the method embody-4 ing thisinvention involves from the broad standpoint thetreatment of tobacco for its conditioning under regulated conditions of temperature and relative humidity, which bear a relationship to the conditions of temperature and, more particularly, of temperature and secondarily of relative humidity" under which the conditioned tobacco is fabricated. Generally, the tobacco will be conditioned in air the wet bulb temperature of which is lower than that of the air in which the tobacco is fabricated, and under various conditions within the differential range specified, the dew-point in the conditioning room will be below that in the fabricating room F. More partlcularly, in accordance with the method the tobacco will be conditioned in an atmosphere having high relative humidity, or saturated with moisture at the temperature obtaining, which air will be at a temperature within about the range 0.5 1".-35 F. lower than the air in which the tobacco is fabricated. 'Ihe method according to this invention involves the relative conditions above outlined and, at the same time, the irnparting of movement to the tobacco, which may be continuous or intermittent, during the conditioning, which may be elfected under the conditions above outlined. or otherwise.

It will be understood that in accordance with this invention if the tobacco is not fabricated immediately on completion of its conditioning, it will be maintained in storage under' conditions annoso as outlined herein for its conditioning until transferred for fabrication.

'I'he various novel and inventive features of the apparatus described herein are not claimed herein. Such, however, form the subject-matter of an application for patent filed by me October 12, 1933, serial No. 693,320.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: l

1. The method for conditioning of tobacco which includes moving hands of tobaccov through a humid atmosphere and periodicallyinverting the hands.

2. The method for conditioning of tobacco which includes moving hands of tobacco through a circulating humid atmosphere and periodically inverting the hansb.

3. The method for conditioning of tobacco which includes moving hands of tobacco through a plurality of streams of conditioned air, periodically inverting the hands and directing streams of conditioned air into the hands during a periodic inversion. y

4. 'I'he method for conditioning of tobacco which includes moving hands of tobacco through a conditioned atmosphere, periodically inverting the hands and directing streams of conditioned `air into the hands during a periodic inversion.

iz's

7. 'I'he method for conditioning of tobacco I which includes moving hands of tobacco through a humid atmosphere, periodically inverting the hands and spreading the leaves in. the hands as the hands are inverted.

8. The method for conditioning of tobacco which includes moving hands of tobacco through a humid atmosphere and inverting the hands.

9. The method for conditioning tobacco which includes subjecting hands of tobacco in movement in a circuitous path to a humid atmosphere at a temperature below that of the atmosphere to which the conditioned tobacco is subsequently subjected. the hands of tobacco being supported from their butts only and variously in their path of movement extending in a direction such that the leaves as they become moistened will iiex and separate under the influence of gravity.

l0. 'Ihe method for conditioning tobacco which phere at a temperature below that of the atmosl phere in which the conditioned tobacco is subsequently treated. the hands of tobacco being supported 'from their butts only and variously in their movement extending in a direction such that the leaves as they become moistened will flex and separate under the inuence of gravity.

13. The method for conditioning and fabricating tobacco which includes subjecting tobacco in hands, comprising a plurality of tobacco leaves. to a conditioned atmosphere at a temperature below that of the atmosphere in which the treated tobacco is subsequently fabricated until the conditioning of the tobacco is completed and when the conditioning of the tobacco is completed maintaining the conditioned tobacco in an atmosphere at a temperature below that of the atmosphere in which the conditioned tobacco is subsequently fabricated and then fabricating the conditioned tobacco in a conditioned atmosphere at a temperature above that of the atmosphere in which the tobacco was maintained after completion of the conditioning treatment.

14. The method for conditioning and fabrieating tobacco which includes subjecting tobacco in hands, comprising a plurality of tobacco leaves, on a moving carrier,` to a conditioned atmosphere at a temperature below that of the atmosphere in which the treated tobacco is subsequently fabricated until the conditioning of the tobacco is completed, agitating the hands to promote separation of the leaves as they absorb moisture in the conditioning treatment and when the conditioning ofthe tobacco is completed maintaining the conditioned tobacco in an atmosphere at a. temperature below that of the atmosphere in which the conditioned tobacco is subsequently fabricated and then fabricating the conditioned tobacco in a conditioned atmosphere at a tem.- perature above that of the atmosphere in which the tobacco was maintained after completion of the conditioning treatment.

l5. The method for conditioning and fabricating tobacco which includes subjecting the tobacco in hands, comprising a plurality of tobacco leaves, to an atmosphere the temperature of which is lower and the relative huminity of which is higher than the temperature and relative humidity of the atmosphere in which the treated tobacco is subsequently fabricated until the conditioning` of the tobacco is completed, agitating the hands to promote separation of the leaves as they absorb moisture in the conditioning treatment and when the conditioning of the tobacco is completed maintaining the'conditioned tobacco in an atmosphere at a temperature below that ofthe atmosphere in which the conditioned tobacco is subsequently fabricated and then fabricating the conditioned tobacco in a conditioned atmosphere at a temperature above that of the atmosphere in which the tobacco was maintained after completion of the conditioning treatment.

16. The method for conditioning and fabricating tobacco in accordance with claim 14, characterized by the fact that the dew points of` the atmospheres in which the tobacco is conditioned and maintained after the completion of the conditioning treatment are lower than that of the atmosphere in which the tobacco is fabricated.

17. 'I'he method for conditioning and fabricating tobacco in accordance with claim 13, characterized by the fact that the temperatures of the atmospheres in which the tobacco is conditioned and maintained after completion of the conditioning treatment are within about the range 0.5" F.25 F. below that of the atmosphere in which the tobacco is fabricated.

18. The method for conditioning and fabricating tobacco in accordance with claim 14, characterized by the fact that the temperatures of the conditioned atmospheres in which the tobacco is conditioned and maintained after completion of the conditioning treatment are within about the range 40 lit-80. F. and that the temperature o! the atmosphere in which the tobacco is ,fabricated is within about the range F.-85 F.

19. The method for conditioning and fabricating tobacco in accordance with claim 14, characterized by the fact that the tobacco is conditioned and maintained after completion of the conditioning treatment in a conditioned atmosphere at a. temperature below about F. and that the tobacco is fabricated at a temperature above about '10 F. and having a lower humidity than that at which the tobacco was treated and maintained.

20. The method for conditioning and fabricatlng tobacco in accordance with claim 14, characterized by the fact that the atmosphere in which the tobacco is conditioned is maintained substantially saturated with moisture at the temperature obtaining. v

21. The method for conditioning and fabricating tobacco in accordance with claim 13, characterized by the fact that during the conditioning treatment the hands of tobacco are on a moving carrier and that the hands of tobacco are peliodically subjected to an opening action until the leaves` of the hands are substantially uniformly moistened.

22. The method for conditioning and fabricating tobacco in accordance with claim 13, characterlzed by the fact that the hands of tobacco are periodically inverted during the conditioning treatment.`

23. The method for conditioning and fabricating tobacco in accordance with claim 13, characterized by the fact that in the conditioning treatment the hands of tobacco are subjected to forceful jets of conditioned air so positioned relative tothe hands of tobacco that the full force of the jets will be received by the hands when the hands are directly in line with the jets.

24. The method for conditioning tobacco which I includes.: passing hands lof tobacco leaves slowly through an atmosphere of conditioned air, the said atmosphere having a moisture content within about the range gil-100% and being at a temperature such as to substantially retard the formation of water globules such as would tend t0 spot the leaves, and periodically passing the hands into line with forceful jets of conditioned air, the hands being positioned relative to the jets so` that substantially the full force of the jets will be received by the hands when they are directly in line with the jets.

25. The method for conditioning tobacco in accordance with claim 23, characterizedI by the fact that the atmosphere of the conditioned air in the conditioning treatment has a temperature below 70 C.

26. The method of treating tobacco which includes moving a hand of tobacco through a forcible jet of conditioned air in a chamber, the hand being positioned relative to the jet so that substantially the full force of the jet will be received by the hand when it is directly in line with the let.

27. The method of treating tobacco in accordance with claim 26, characterized by the fact thatr the hand of tobacco is on a moving carrier and that it is agitated independently of the jet of conditioned air.

28. The method of treating tobacco in accordance with claim 26, characterized by the factthat the size of the jet of conditioned air is regulated to effect an even distribution of air over the 6 e umso tobaccoandbythefactthatthetobaccoisperiodically shaken independently of the jet.

39.1hemethodoftreatingtobaccoinaccordance withclaim 26,charactex izedbythefaet that l thehand of tobacco is agitated independently of thejetofconditionedairwhilethehandoftobaccoisinlinewiththejetoi'oonditionedalr. x 30.1hemethodoftreatingtobaccoinlcedamewlthclnim26,characterizedbytheiaetthat.

IOthejetofconditionedlirisdirectedintothe lmndfromthetipsoftheleaves.

31. Themethodoftreatingtobaceoinlordancewithlaim26,characterinedbyihc factthnt thehandoitobaccoisina'pendantpitlonwhen )l itreceivestheietofconditionednir.

32. Themethodoftreatingtoboccoinaordanoewithclaim26,characterinedbythefactthat the let of conditioned air is received butt the hand oftobaccoreceivesthesnidjetof e011-,V

ditioned air progressively along its length.

36. The method of treating tobacco in scoord- .35 ancewith claim 26, characterised bythe fectthat mamofcndiuoneamreivedbymenmo ceivedbythehandsfromthetipsof whenthehnndsaredirectlyinlinewiththejets andalsothatthehandswillreceivesubstantially l0 thefullforceoi'thejetsatananglelateraliyon asidethereoi'. v

andnlsothatthehandswill receive substantially N thefullforce oftheietsatananglelaterallyon a side thereof and from their butt ends.

39. The methodfortreatingtobaccowhichimcludes subjecting tobacco in hands to a conditioned atmosphere at .a temperature below that ofthetohoccoatwhichthetreatedtobaccois subsequently treated and periodically subjecting 'the hands of tobacco to forceful jets of conditioned air, the hands being positioned relntiv'e tothejetssotbatsubstantiallythefull forceof I0 the jets will be received by the hands when they -aredirectlyinlinewiththejetssndsubsequently treatingtbe tobacco in an atmosphere at a higher temperature. L Y RUSH D. TOU'IDN. 35

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