Title: Cryogenic threshing of tobacco

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.

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Inventors: Banks, Jon F. (Louisville, KY, US)
Livesay, Eugene F. (Louisville, KY, US)
Martin, Reynold W. (Union Beach, NJ, US)

Application Number: 547458
Filing Date: 1975-02-06
Publication_date: 1976-07-20
Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation (Louisville, KY)
Primary Class(es): 131/313
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2344106	Mar, 1944	Reed	131/136.
2661746	Dec, 1953	Schoenbaum et al.	131/127.
3507310	Apr, 1970	Forkner	146/226.
3837481	Sep, 1974	Stungis et al.	131/140.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Michell, Robert W.
Assistant Examiner: Millin, V.
Attorney: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow & Garrett