US2104036A - Continuous treatment of materials - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 4, 1938. e. D. HARRIS CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF MATERIALS Filed July 22, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l gwue'ntot 6020M a Mam Jan. 4, 1938.

I w F11 x w v HJWLHW N J HHW M a i Q Q @522; s M @U? y 2 922225? mi 5 w m. m m m 2:22:25 M 2:22 222 a it. E nlnnlw .lffilhdnh 1 sh M N M WM\ VF/FM WW 2 NQ G. D. HARRIS CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF MATERIALS Jan. 4, 1938.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 22, 1929 a t a t H 11+. 3 l 0 c c A a m J M I I I m m 5 I A u, u c (H: c a c c a a m N L 0 H LL 9 i o c a c J .c o a a Ha Ha cu c WW WI, ct. h; w. w 7 W 3 4 M 4 dun: un s 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 dummy i I w k m )z Jl wvwad {/JMVWMA Jan. 4, 1938-. G. D. HARRIS CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF MATERIALS Filed July 22, 1929 Patented Jan. l, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT err-ice 2,104,036 CONTINUOUS TREATMENT MATERIALS sylvania Application July 22, 1929, N0. 379,964 46 Claims. (Cl. 131-55) This invention relates in general to the treatment of materials and more particularly has refsimilar treatment to incorporate moisture there- Tobacco, when dry, is crisp and brittle and, consequently, cannot be worked without breaking the leaf. Tobacco leaves used as wrappers for cigars must be manipulated many times prior to being assembled on a cigar; yet must remain unbroken. It is essential, therefore, that the tobacco be treated so that the leaves will assimilate enough moisture to render them sufilciently pliableto be handled, stripped, etc., for use as wrappers without fracture.

Many processes have been developed for treating the hands of dry tobacco to increase the moisture content so that the tobacco may be worked without damage to the same. Methods of increasing the moisture content of tobacco in which the tobacco is immersed directly in water, or the application of surface moisture in any form to the dry leaves, are disadvantageous, in that the leaves become water stained and spotted; the color is afl'ected, and other desirable inherent characteristics are lost. There is also the danger of weakening the leaves by allowing the same to become too wet, which causes the leaves to become unworkable. Furthermore, if the wrapper is too wet when applied to a cigar, it will break or crack after the cigar becomes commercially dry and is ready to be packed.

The most successful process for changing the physical characteristics of tobacco from a dry condition, wherein the leaves may be easily broken, to a pliable and flexible condition, in which it is susceptible of handling without fracture, is that in which the hands of dry tobacco are subjected to a properly conditioned air, the hands of tobacco being taken directly from the bale and placed in the machine ready for casing without being damaged. The distribution and condition of the air is modified during the treatment to insure the permeation of moisture throughout all parts of the leaves, including the stem, the

blade or lamina, and the petiole connecting the blade with the stem. Tobacco treated in accordance with this process' is of high commercial value.

The last described process is very effective for conditioning tobacco, but, however, it is not adapted for use with a continuous conveying means. I

r A major object of the present invention is to provide a process and apparatus forcontinuously treating tobacco and other materials to cause the same to assimilate moisture sufficient to render them pliable and workable.

Another object of this invention is to devise a method and apparatus for passing tobacco and other materials through a plurality of stages of variously conditioned air.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a structure in which a plurality of stages of air at varied conditions are maintained, and which has means for conveying material to be treated throughthe several stages.

Still another object of. this invention is to devise a method and apparatus for simultaneously conditioning 'a plurality. of tobaccos requiring different treatments.

A.further'object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatusforsurface wetting tobacco.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for conveying hands of tobacco through the several stages of the process, and for agitating the tobacco.

With these and other important objects in View, which may be incident to my improvement,

the invention consists in the several method steps and parts and combinations of apparatus to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary steps andelements comprising my invention may be modifled to meet varying operating conditions without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In its broadest consists in the process and apparatus for exposing materials such as dry tobacco in leaf form to a plurality of bodies of air substantially saturated with moisture, each body of air being maintained at a desired temperature and being circulated in a. prescribed manner.

The apparatus for carrying accordance with the present out the process in invention may be arranged in the form of a tunnel divided into a plurality of compartments, in each of which there is an independent body of air independently conditioned and circulated. Each compartment consists of a products chamber, through which thetobacco or other material to be treated is passed, and an air conditioning chamber. The latter is provided with tanks containing water, in which are submerged heating elements for vaporizing the water, cooling coils for reducing the temperature of the air and sprays, when desired. Suitable fans are positioned in the conaspect the present invention ditioning chamber for creating a circulation of the treated air from the conditioning chamber through the products chamber and back to the conditioning chamber for reconditioning.

Suitable thermostats and hygrometers, or humidostats, may be mounted in the. products chamber for maintaining the temperature and moisture content of the air substantially constant.

Suitable conveyors for receiving the tobacco extend through the several compartments for conveying the tobacco through the several bodies of air. Each conveyor is preferably independently operated so that its velocity of travel may be regulated to secure various conditioning effects. The length of treatment in any one compartment may be controlled by the length of the particular compartment. In passing through the several compartments it may be found necessary to shake or agitate the tobacco. This is accomplished by rocking the sticks carried by the conveyor on which the hands of tobacco are mounted.

In order to make my 'invention more clearly understood, I have shown, in the accompanying drawings, means for carrying the same into practical effect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation of a treating device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the treating apparatus shown in Figure 1. I

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the priming compartment, which is typical of the several other compartments.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 of a form of my invention employing sprays and eliminating the drip guard deflector construction in order to facilitate the deposition of surface moisture on the tobacco.

Figure 5 is a detailed view showing a mecha nism ior rocking the tobacco-carrying sticks.

Figure 6 is another detail view of the mechanism shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of a modified form of my invention, in which the surface-wetting and holding compartments are omitted.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of another modified form of my invention, in which the surface-wetting compartment is omitted.

Figure 9 is a view of one form of surface-wetting compartment, in which the compartment is.

sub-divided, the air flow in one section being opposite to that in the other section.

Figure 10 is a view of another form of surfacewetting compartment, in which the direction of air flow is periodically reversed.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of the timecontrolled fan circuit for use with the surface wetter shown in Figure 10. I

Figure 12 is a'diagrammatic view of a form of the treating apparatus in which the holding room is omitted, and in which both ends of the structure are open.

Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view of one of the compartments showing the structure for regulating the port openings.

In the drawings, in which similar reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the several views thereof, there is shown a machine for casing tobacco. As heretofore 'pointed out, the concept of the present invention involves the conveyance of tobacco or other materials through an enclosure divided into a plurality of compartments, in each of which there exists air or some other treating gas under varying conditions. The casing or treating machine is in the form of an elongated enclosure I, similar in form to atunnel. One end of the tunnel or enclosure I is open to the atmosphere, and the other end may be closedor opened as desired.

If one end is closed, it is preferably that end from which the finished product is obtained.

This end may be provided with a door 2, through which the treated material may be removed.

The tunnel I is divided into a plurality of compartments, the first of which is indicated by reference numeral 3, and will be referred to as the priming compartment. divided into a treating chamber, indicated by reference numeral 4, and air-conditioning chambers 5, I9, 26 and 21. As shown in Figure 3, the products chamber is located centrally of the compartment, and the air-conditioning chambers or ducts extend around the products chamber adjacent the exterior walls of the compartment.

The air-conditioning chambers 5 and 21, located on the sides of the products chamber, are

separated from the products chamber by means of imperforate walls 6. The lower wall I of the products compartment is provided with. a plurality of openings 8, through which air from the products chamber may pass to the conditioning chamber 26.

Air flowing through the openings 8 is adapted to 'flow over a body of water 9 located in the lower portion of the compartment, or in a tank positioned therein. A plurality of heating elements III are submerged in the body of water, so as to heat the same in order to produce a vapor.

The heating elements may be of any desired form, such as coils through which hot gases, steam or other fluid is circulated. or electrical resistance elements adapted to be heated upon the passage of an electric current through the same.

Water may be supplied to the lower portion of the conditioning chamber by means of a m. duit, not shown. It is desirable to'maintain a water level, and I may provide the water supply conduit with a suitable valve either manually operated or controlled by afioat, or other automatic control device, such as a thermostat. v

The lower portion of the conditioning chamber is provided with an overflow pipe H, which-is adapted to operate when the water in-the chamber reaches a predetermined level.

As the air passing through the openings 8 flows over the body of water 9, vapors arising from the body of water will diffuse into the air and substantially saturate the same. The substantially saturated air will then'flow up in the side sections 5 and 21 of the conditioning chamber over the cooling coils l2, through which the flow of a cooling medium is controlled by means of a valve l3. Valve I3 is located in a supply conduit l4, through which cold water or any other cooling medium may flow.

As the vapor-laden air flows over the cooling coils l2, there is a reductionin the temperature of the air, with a consequent condensation of moisture on the cooling coils. It is well known that saturated air at a high temperature contains more water vapor than saturated air at a lower temperature.

This compartment is- Therefore, when the air comes in contact with the cooling coils l2, there will be a quantity of water condensed from the gas mixture. The cooled 'air will be saturated as was the warmer air before contacting with the coils. The temperature of the cooling coils l2 may be controlled by a valve-actuating device 15, which is operated by means of a thermostat l6 positioned in the treating chamber.

After flowing over the cooling coils l2, the air is drawn upwardly by means of fans ll, driven by suitable motors l8, and is forced into an upper chamber l9, separated from the products chamber 4 by means of a slotted partition 20, which forms the bottom of a tank 23. Each of the slots 2| is fitted with a drip guard and deflector 22 extending above the tank a predetermined distance. Upstanding slot walls are The tank 23 is adapted to contain a body of water, in which are submerged the heating elements 2. These heating elements are similar to those positioned in the lower humidifying chamber and, as in the case of elements l0, may be of any desired form. The upper tank 23 is provided with a water inlet, not shown, in which may be associated a valve operated by an automatic control device similar to that described in connection with the lower tank, for regulating the flow of water to the tank 23. An overflow pipe 25 is associated with the upper tank 23 for maintaining a definite body of water within this tank.

It will readily be seen that with the construction just described, air conditioned by the addition of moisture in the lower and upper chambers and by cooling in the side chambers will be circulated downwardly by means of the fans I! over the tobacco or other material maintained in the products chamber to give up a portion of its moisture content to the tobacco.

The other compartments in the treating device are constructed somewhat similarly to the structure described in connection with the priming compartment: therefore, it is thought that a detailed description of these compartments will not be necessary. Ordinarily, cooling coils will not be necessary in the casing section herein-' It is to be noted that after to be referred to. by merely reversing the direction of travel of the fans, the air may be made to flow in an upward direction in the conditioning chamber.

Adjacent the priming compartment 3 is a casing compartment 23, which is similar in construction to the priming compartment 3, with the exception that it is of greater length in order to insure a longer period of treatment to the tobacco passing through the same. The flow of conditioned air through the products chamber in the casing compartment 28 is preferably upconditioning air.. However, due to the flow of the air in the upward direction and the fanning out of the leaves.the air friction causes a heating of the leaves on the edge, which tends to prevent a suflicient assimilation of moisture in this portion of theleaves. Also, because of the manner in which the hand is suspended in the products chamber, sumcient moisture is not assimilated in the stem portion or butts during this upward passage of the' air. Consequently, in order to insure the proper assimilation of moisture in all portions of the tobacco, it has been found necessary to subject the tobacco leaves. as suspended, to what is termed a butt and edge casingprocess; This process is carried out in a compartment 29, located adjacent the casing 'com- ,partment 23.

operates to reduce the temperature of the tobacco by passing cooledfmoisture-saturated air over the tobacco. The cooling compartment serves to cool the tobacco down to approximately room temperature, so that any tendency for the moisture in the tobacco to be dissipated/owing to the fact that the temperature of the tobacco is higher than the room temperature, will be avoided.

From the cooling compartment 30, the tobacco is passed into a compartment 3|, which is termed a holding room. This compartment may be of a relatively large size in order that a large quantity of tobacco may be stored therein. The condition of air within the holding room is maintained such that the tobacco will retain its moisture content as obtained in the preceding compartments. The air is here substantially saturated and at room temperature. By means of the holding room, the tobacco may be maintained I -may not be desirable under certain operation conditions to passthe tobacco through the surface-wetting compartment. However, it is sometimes desirable that the tobacco be subjected to a surface-wetting process to supply an excess amount of moisture to compensate for moisture lost through evaporation during handling.

The apparatus for effecting the surface wetting may be modified somewhat from that described'in connection with the other compartments. As shown in Figure 4, a structure is provided, in which there is a products chamber 4, surrounded by air-conditioning chambers 5, i9, 26and 21. This compartment is constructed similarly to that shown in Figure 3, with the exception that spray nozzles 33 are provided above and below the cooling coils I2 mounted in the compartments 5-. and 21. Any spraying or atomizing device, with or without accompanying cooling coil structures, may be employed. In the operation of this compartment, the air is conditioned so as to be saturated with water vapor and then sub-compartments.

is passed up through the chambers 5 and 21 over cooling coils l2. Just prior to and after flowing over the coils 2, the air is subjected to water spraying from the nozzles 33. Water introduced into the air by the nozzles 33 is present therein in the form of entrained particles of moisture.

The air, together with the entrained moisture, is drawn upwardly by the fans I1 and is passed through the ducts or slots 2| down into the products chamber 4. A suitable tank structure 23, as previously described, is provided in the upper compartment IS, in order to further supply the air with water vapor.

When the saturated air with entrained moisture contacts with the tobacco leaves in theproducts chamber, there is a certain deposition of water on the exterior surface of the tobacco leaves. As hereinbefore pointed out, this, in some instances, is desirable.

In Figure 9 I have shown a fragmentary view of the tobacco treating device, in which the surfacewetting compartment is shown divided in two of the sub-compartments flows upwardly; whereas the air in the other compartmentfiows downwardly. By having the saturated air-carrying entrained moisture flowing in two directions, the tobacco being subjected to the treatment will be thoroughly "wetted both on the outside of the hand and on the leaves in the thereof.

In some cases it may be desirable to construct the compartment 32 so that the air will be circulated upwardly over a definite period 01' time and then downwardly over a similar period of time.

There is shown in Figure 11 a diagrammatic circuit for operating the fans for reversing the flow of air in the compartment 32," shown in Figure 10, so that the tobacco leaves can be thoroughly wetted. In Figure'11 the fans I! are shown connected in series with a reversing switch 34, which is controlled by a suitable clock mechanism or timing device 35. With this construction the timing device can be set so that the switch 34 will be operated at definite time intervals so as to reverse the direction of rotation of fans thereby causing the direction airflow to be reversed;

In certain treatments it may be found unnecessary to subject the tobacco to all of the stages 01 the process. For instance, a treating structure such as shown in Figure 7 may be employed. This structure comprises a priming compartment 3, a casing compartment 28, a butt and edge casing compartment 29 and a cooling "compartment 33. In this instance the cooling compartment is provided with a door 2' to permit the removal of the treated tobacco. For other treatments it may be found desirable to employ a holding room 3| together with the compartments 3, 28, 29 and 30. Such a structure is clearly shown in Figure 8.

In certain installations it is unnecessary to have the last compartment through which the tobacco passes closed. Figure 12 shows a structure similar to that shown in Figure I, in which the cooling compartment 30 is open to the atmosphere. It, of course, is obvious that other combinations of the several compartments may be employed, in which the last compartment is open to the atmosphere.

It has been found that if all the slots 8 and 2| are of the same size, there is a tendency for the airflow through the products chamber to be uneven, resulting in improper treatment of material inner portion The conditioned air in one of slot closures 49 adjustably secured thereto.

Each closure member 49 is provided with a plurality of slots 50, through which extend studs carried by the partition 1. Suitable wing-nuts are enthreaded on the studs and serve to fix the closures in adjusted positions. Similar closure members are provided on the under side of the upper partition 20. By adjusting the position of the closures any desired slot opening can be obtained for effecting the proper airflow.

In order to pass the tobacco through the several compartments or stages of treatment, I have provided a plurality of chain conveyors 36, 31, 38 and 39. Each of the conveyors consists of a pair of chains 40 provided with a plurality of hooks or similar attaching means 4|. The hooks 4|, carried by each of the 'chains 40, are spaced so that each one of those carried by the chain on one side of the treating structure will be directly opposite those carried by the other chain. In

order to support the tobacco on the conveyor, a plurality of tobacco-carrying sticks 42, are

sticks 42 in a definite position. A plurality of rails 45 are mounted on the walls of the conditioning apparatus by means of suitable brackets 46. There is a rail 45 provided both above and below the lower portion of each of the .conveyor chains. Each of the rails 45 is provided with a plurality of protuberances 41 adapted to be engaged by the enlarged end portions of the arms 43 for rocking the tobacco-carrying sticks 42.

In operation a plurality of hands of tobacco are positioned on the tobacco-carrying sticks 42. The loaded sticks are then mounted in the hooks 4| and assume a position wherein the arms 43 are vertical. The vertical position of the arms 43 is efiected by means of the weighted end portion, as previously described. The conveyors with the loaded tobacco-carrying sticks 42 pass through shown in Figure: and 6, are provided for engaging with the enlarged end portions of the arms 43, for rocking the sticks and agitating the tobacco supported thereon.

A structure for agitating the hands of tobacco will be found most desirable in compartment 28, where the tobacco is subjected to treatments over a relatively long period of time. The agitation loosens locked leaves.

I wish it to be clearly understood that the conveyors may be operated at any desired speed, either continuously or intermittently. If the conveyors are of the intermittent type, they may be either manually or automatically controlled.

-When tobacco is to be treated in accordance with the present invention, it comes from the bale in the form of hands, and the hands are affixed to the tobacco-carrying sticks 42. The sticks 42 are then placed in the hooks 4| carried by the conveyor chains 4|). For most types of tobaccos, the speed of the conveyor and the length of the compartments may be adjusted so that the tobacco will be subjected to a priming treatment for a sufficient length of time. The priming treatment is employed to introduce a sufficient amount of moisture into the tobacco leaves so that they will not be fractured when subjected to later treatments. Primingv may be so conducted as not only to moisten but also to cool the tobacco. The cooling makes it possible to carry out the subsequent operations in a shorter length of time than would otherwise be possible. Moisture absorbed during the priming prevents fracture of the leaves during subsequent treatment where the conditioning air is directed upwardly against the leaves. The temperature in the priming compartment is generally lower than that in the casing compartment. The humidity of the air, of course, is maintained as close to the saturation point as is possible, i. e;. at a true humidity, in order that alarge quantity of moisture will be assimilated by the tobacco leaf.

By reason of the fact that the same volume of air is continually circulated, the air in the priming compartment, at a short distance from the open end, will be substantially saturated. In other words, the circulation of air is so balanced that there is practically no interchange between the unsaturatedair in the room and the saturated air in the compartment.

The tobacco, after passing from the priming compartment, is moved into the casing compartment 28, which is of such a length that the tobacco will be exposed. to the air for a substantial period of time. The greater part of the moisture to be assimilated in the leaf is taken into the leaf during the casing operation carried out in compartment 28. The air-flow in this com-' partment is upwardly, so as to completely disperse the moisture-laden air through the hands of tobacco leaves suspended from the conveyor. In the priming compartment the air was circulated downwardly, so that there would be no tendency for the leaves to be spread apart until a sumcient amount ofmoisture was assimilated by them to prevent breakage. However, after the priming treatment, the leaves are sufficiently pliable, so that there is no danger of breaking them due to the upward flow of air in the casing compartment. It is desirable mall the compartments to have the submerged heaters under thermostatic control since the temperature of the air will depend upon the amount of heat supplied to the water. The temperature may be maintained as desired, for instance, from about 70 to 90 F.

During the treatment of the tobacco leaves in the casing compartment 28 it may be desirable to utilize the apparatus hereinbefore described for agitating the leaves. It will be appreciated that a slight rocking motion of the tobacco-carrying sticks 42 will impart sufiicient agitation to the leaves to insure a thorough assimilation of moistur'e therein; yet the agitation will not be so great as to damage the tobacco leaves. The agitation can be started'as soon as the leaves are in the casing compartment '28, since sufllcient moisture is absorbed by the leaves in the priming process to prevent them from breaking. The rocking action tends to separate any leaves which may have become interlocked when the tobacco was baled for shipment.

dry hands before they have become pliable through absorbed moisture is eliminated.

After the tobacco has been subjected to the upwardly over the thin edges of the tobacco leaves generates heat and prevents a sufiicient assimilation of moisture into the thin edges. Since it is desirable that all of the leaf be pliable, the tobacco is conveyed through a compartment 32, in which'it is subjected to a butt and edge casing process.

The condition of the air is maintained practically the same as that of the air in compartment 28. However, the air is delivered from the top of the compartment downwardly, in order to give the butts of the leaves a better opportunity to absorb additional moisture, and in order tobring the edges of the leaves into a prime condition.

After emerging from the butt and edge cas ing compartment 29 the tobacco may be sub'-' jected to a surface-wetting process in. compart-, As hereinbefore described, this com-' ment 32. partment may be divided into two sub-compartments, in one of which the air flows downwardly, and in the other of which the air flows upwardly. Water is here sprayed into the air from nozzles 33, as hereinbefore described. The saturated air, carrying the entrained moisture, is then directed down over the tobacco in one subcompartment and up over the tobacco in the other sub-compartment, in order to thoroughly disperse the water over the surface of the leaves. When used, this treatment is carried on for a length of time which depends upon the initial condition of the tobacco and the condition to be obtained.

If found desirable, the divided surface wetting compartment may be substituted by a single compartment, in which the direction of air-flow is changed at definite intervals of time. As hereinbeiore described, this apparatus has a timecontrol reversing switch associated with the electrical circuit for operating the air-forcing fans, so that the direction of movement of the fans will be reversed at definite time intervals, to accomplish the same result efiected by the subdivided compartment, in which air flows in one direction in one sub-compartment and in another direction in the other sub-compartment. When this last form of surface-wetting compartment is employed, the tobacco may be subjected to the treatment for a time corresponding to that employed in the other form.

From the surface-wetting process compartment the tobacco is passed through a cooling compartment in which the air is maintained at a temperature approximating that at which the tobacco is to be worked. The air in this compartment, as in each of the others, is, of course, maintained at approximately 100% moisture saturation.

The tobacco which has been cooled may be taken directly from the cooling compartment and carried to the machines for stripping and working the tobacco. If, however, the-tobacco is to be held for a time before it is used, it is prefer- 7 able to discharge the same into a holdingroom 3!, shown in the drawings. Tobacco may be held in proper condition in the holding room for several days without damage to the quality of the tobacco.

While the process has been described employing each of the treating steps diagrammatically shown in Figure. 1, it is, of course, obvious that certain of the treatments may be eliminated. For instance, as shown in Figure 7, there is an apparatus for effecting a treating process in which the compartment for surface-wetting and the holding room are eliminated.

If desirable, the surface-wetting and cooling stages of the process can be combined as one.

In Figure 8 there is shown an apparatus in which the surface-wetting compartment is eliminated. The apparatus shown in Figure 8 is generally sufficient for processing tobaccos where subsequent holding machines are used between the various factory operations.

While the foregoing process has been described with relation to a conveyor moving at one speed, I wish it to be clearly understood that all four conveyors may be moved at different speeds, either continuously or intermittently. For instance, conveyor 36 could be loaded with one type of tobacco and moved through the apparatus at a speed so that the tobacco could be subjected to each of the process steps for certain periods of time, and the other conveyors could be loaded with different tobaccos and operated at different speeds to effect treatments of different periods of time. Thus it will be appreciated that the foregoing described process and apparatus is particularly desirable for use in cigar-making factories, where a plurality of kinds of tobacco are treated.

In the foregoing description sprays have been shown employed only in the compartment for the surface wetting of the tobacco. I wish it to be clearly understood, however, that sprays may be employed in any of the compartments, in order to introduce surface moisture on the tobacco leaves. It has been found, however, that unless the air is substantially saturated with water va'- por, entrained moisture alone carried by the air will have little effect on the assimilation of moisture by the tobacco leaves.

In the foregoing description the process and apparatus have been described as applicable to the treatment of tobacco, but it should be understood that the same may be employed for the treatment of other materials which are to be changed from a hard, unpliable state to one in which the material may be easily worked. For instance, the process and apparatus here described are particularly applicable to the treatmentof hides, shoe uppers and other leather goods, to render the leather pliable, so that it may be in a condition favorable for the subsequent manipulations required to produce an article of manufacture.

It has been found that the process and equipment herein described is ideal for sammying leather in the tanning industry. This operation consists in putting moisture into the skins afterthey have been dried. Tests have indicated that a better quality of skin is obtained from the raw material when the herein described method and apparatus are employed. Of course the size of the apparatus and handling equipment may be varied to best advantage, and the time of treatment can be regulated as found desirable. Itis also to be understood that certain of the stages of the process, such as surface wetting, may be omitted, if desired.

When treating tobacco I may, if I desire, support the hands in a position with the butts down, the leaves extending upwardly, and control the direction of air-travel in the various sections or compartments to give the advantages previously set forth when the hands are supported with the butts uppermost.

Throughout this specification and claims where I use the term air I mean to include any gas or mixture of gases which can be used in the place of air in similar treating processes.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction set forth herein, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A tobacco-treating process comprising subjecting dry tobacco to a priming treatment with moisture-saturated air, conveying the tobacco to a casing stage in which the tobacco is subjected to moisture-saturated air at approximately 70 to F., and subjecting the tobacco to a surface-wetting stage.

2. A tobacco-treating process comprising subjecting dry tobacco to a priming treatment with moisture-saturated air, conveying the tobacco to a casing stage in which the tobacco is subjected to moisture-saturated air at approximately 70 to. 90 F., subjecting the tobacco to a surfacewetting stage and cooling the tobacco to room temperature.

3. In combination with a tobacco-conditioning I machine, a conveyor comprising a pair of flexible members, a plurality of rods carried by said flexible members, a plurality of members adjacent the iiexible members and means on each of said rods adapted to engage with members adjacent the fiexible members for rocking said rods.

4. A device for surface-wetting tobacco comprising a products chamber, an air-conditioning chamber, means in the latter for diffusing water vapor in air, means for dispersing water in the air, and means for circulating air through said chambers, and time-controlled means for reversing the flow of air through said chambers.

5. A device for surface wetting tobacco comprising a products chamber, an air-conditioning chamber, means in the latter for diffusing water vapor in the air, means for circulating air through said chambers, time-controlled means for reversing the flow or air through said chambers and means for passing tobacco through said device.

6. A device for surface wetting tobacco comprising a plurality of adjoining compartments, means for suspending hands of tobacco therein with the butt upward, means in each c0mpartment for saturating air, means for entraining moisture in air, means in one compartment for forcing air upwardly to-spread apart the tobacco leaves, means in the other compartment for forcing air downwardly and means for passing tobacco through both of said compartments.

7. A device for surface wetting tobacco comprising a products chamber, an air-conditioning chamber, means in the latter for difiusing water vapor in air, means for dispersing water in the air, and means for circulating air through said --2,1.o4,ose chambers, said products chambers being in communication with said conditioning chambers by means of .slotted partitions and means associated with said slots for varying the size theremunication with said conditioning chamber by means of slotted partitions, and means associated with said slots for varying the size there- 9. A device for moistening material comprising a products chamber, an air-conditioning chamber, means in the latter for difiusing water vapor in the air, means for circulating air through said chambers, time-controlled means for reversing the flow. of air through the saidchambers' and means for passing material through said device. I

10. A method of treating tobacco comprising suspending hands of tobacco, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco to a priming stage, subjecting the tobacco in the priming stage to the action of humidified gas flowing vertically,

downwardly, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco into a casing stage wherein the suspended hands of tobacco are subjected to vertical flowing gas substantially completely saturated with moisture and moving in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the gas in the priming stage, to spread apart the suspended partially moistened leaves to permit access of the gas in the casing stage to all portions of the leaves.

11. A method of treating tobacco comprising urated 'with moisture and moving in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the gas in the priming stage to spread apart the suspended partially moistened leaves to permit access of the gas in the casing stage to all portionsof the .leaves, and then passing the suspended hands of tobacco into a stage wherein substantially completely moisture saturated gas flows vertically downwardly.

12. A method of treating tobacco comprising conveying suspended hands of tobacco through a priming stage, subjecting the tobacco in the priming stage to the action of humidified gas which has been cooled to a temperature below that of the tobacco to be treated and which is caused to flow vertically downwardly through the priming stage, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco into a casing stage wherein the suspended hands of tobacco are subjected to a substantially completely moisture saturated gas at a higher temperature flowing vertically upwardly through the casing stage to spread apart the suspended partially moistened leaves to permit access of the gas in the casing stage to all portions of the leaves.

13, A method of treating tobacco comprising caused to flow vertically downwardly through the priming stage, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco into a casing stage wherein the suspended hands of tobacco are subjected I to a substantially completely moisture saturated gas at a higher temperature flowing vertically upwardly through the casing stage to spread apart the suspended partially moistened leaves to permit access of the gas in the casing stage to all portions of the leaves, and then passing the suspended hands of tobacco into a stage wherein substantially completely moisture saturated gas flows vertically downwardly.

14. A method of treating tobacco to efiect the assimilation of moisture therein comprising conveying suspended handsof tobacco through a priming stage, subjecting the tobacco in the priming stage to a vertical flowing body of highly humidified gas directed so as to contact the butt of the hands of tobacco prior to the leaves and so as to avoid disturbance of the leaves, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco from the priming stage into a casing stage where the suspended hands are subjected to vertical flowing streams of substantially completely moisture saturated gas passing in a direction opposite to the-direction of flow of the gas in the priming stage to spread apart the suspended partially moistened leaves to permit access of the gas in the casing stage to all portions of the leaves.

15. A method of treating tobacco to .effect the assimilation of moisture therein comprising conveying suspended hands of tobacco through a priming stage, subjecting the tobacco in the priming stage to a vertical flowing body of highly humidified gas directed so as to contact the butt of the hands of tobacco prior to the-leaves and so as to avoid disturbance of the leaves, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco from the priming stage into a casing stage where the suspended hands are subjected to vertical flowing streams of substantially completely moisture saturated gas passing in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the gas in the priming stage to spread apart the suspended partially moistened leaves to permit access of the gas in the casing stage to all portions of the leaves, and then passing the suspended hands of tobacco into a stage wherein substantially completely moisture saturated gas flows vertically downwardly.

16. A method of casing tobacco comprising conveying suspended hands of tobacco through a priming stage wherein the tobacco is subjected to the action of a body of gas substantially completely saturated with moisture and cooled to a temperature below that of the tobacco to be treated, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco from the priming stage into a casing stage wherein the hands of tobacco are subjected to a body of substantially completely moisture saturated gas maintained at a temperature above that of the gas in the priming stage, causing the gas in the casing stage to flow vertically upwardly in a manner so as to spread apart the leaves of the hands of tobacco and effect the assimilation of moisture throughout the entire body of leaves, subsequently conveying the suspended hands of tobacco into a third stage wherein the tobacco is subjected to the action of a body of gas which is substantially completely saturated with moisture and which is caused-to flow vertically downwardly in a manner to effect the assimilation of moisture in the butts and edge portions of. the leaves of the suspended hands of tobacco.

17. A method of casing tobacco comprising conveying suspended hands of tobacco through a priming stage wherein the tobacco is subjected to the action of a body of gas substantially completely saturated with moisture and cooled to a temperature below that of the tobacco to be treated, passing said gas through the priming stage in a. direction so as to cause a minimum of disturbance of the leaves of the hands of tobacco, conveying thesuspended hands of to bacco from the priming stage when they have assimilated enough moisture to avoid breakage of the leaves upon movement thereof; and passingthe suspended hands of tobacco into a casing stage wherein the tobacco is subjected to a body of substantially completely moisture saturated gas maintained at a temperature higher than that of the gas in the primingjstage and which is caused to flow in a direction opposite to that of the gas flow through the priming stage so as to cause the maximum disturbance of the leaves of the hands of tobacco and effect the as similation of moisture throughout the interior of the hands of tobacco.

18. A method of casing tobacco comprising conveying suspended hands of tobacco through a priming stage wherein the tobacco is subjected to the action of a body of gas substantially completely saturated with moisture and cooled to a temperature below that of the tobacco to be treated, passing said gas through the priming stage in a direction so as to cause a minimum of disturbance of the leaves of the hands of tobacco, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco from the priming stage when they have assimilated enough moisture to avoid breakage of the leaves upon movement thereof, and passing the suspended hands of tobacco into a casing stage wherein the tobacco is subjected to a body of substantially completely moisture saturated gas .maintained at a temperature higher than that of the gas in the priming stage and which is caused to flow in a direction opposite to that of the gas flow through the priming stage so as to cause the maximum disturbance of the leaves of the hands of tobacco and effect the assimilation of moisture throughout the interior of the hands of tobacco, conveying the tobacco from the casing stageto a third stage wherein the hands of tobacco are subjected to the action of a body of substantially completely moisture saturated gas passing in a direction opposite to that of the gas flow through the casing stage so as to effect the assimilation of moisture in the butts of the hands of tobacco.

19. An apparatus for treating tobacco comprising a chamber for the tobacco to be treated, a gas conditioning chamber, means for circulating gas from the conditioning chamber through the chamber for the tobacco to be treated and back to the conditioning chamber, and time controlled means associated with the circulating means for periodically reversing the flow of the gas.

20. An apparatus for effecting the assimilation of moisture in materials comprising a chamber for the material to be treated, a gas humidifying chamber associated therewith, means in said humidifying chamber for saturating the gas therein with moisture, means for circulating gas from the humidifying chamber through the chamber for the material to be treated and back to the humidifying chamber, and time con- 2,1o4,osc

trolled means associated with the circulating means for reversing the flow of the gas after the lapse of a predetermined time.

21. A method of treating tobacco to effect the assimilation of moisture therein comprising conveying hands of tobacco first through a priming stage and then into and through a casing stage, passing a body of moisture saturated air in contact with the tobacco in the priming stage and causing the gas to fiow over the hands of tobacco in such a manner as to cause a minimum disturbance of the leaves of the hands of tobacco, subjecting the tobacco to the action of the saturated gas in the priming stage ,for a time sufiicient to assimilate enough moisture in the tobacco to prevent fracture of the leaves upon movement of the leaves, subjecting the tobacco in the casing stage to the action of a moisture saturated gas which is caused to flow over the tobacco in a direction opposite to that of the flow of the gas through the priming stage and in such a manner as to produce a maximum disturbance of the leaves of the hand of tobacco and thereby insure a maximum assimilation of moisture in the leaves, bothinteriorly and exteriorly thereof, and mechanically agitating the hands of tobacco while passing through the casing stage in order to more completely efiect the assimilation of moisture in the leaves.

22. An apparatus for easing tobacco comprising a series of communicating chambers, means for conveying the tobacco serially through the chambers, means in the first chamber into which the tobacco is conveyed for humidifying a gas and passing the same through the chamber in a direction relative to the position of the tobacco to effect the minimum degree of disturbance of the leaves, means in the next adjacent chamber for substantially completely saturating a gas with moisture, means for causing the gas to fiow over the tobacco in a direction opposite to the direction of fiow of the gas in the first chamber so as to effect the maximum degree of disturbance of the leaves of the tobacco, means in the next adjacent chamber for saturating a gas with water vapor, and means for causing the water vapor saturated gas to fiow over the tobacco in the same direction of fiow as takes place in the first chamber.

23. An apparatus for casing tobacco comprising a series of communicating chambers, means for conveying the tobacco serially through the chambers, means in the first chamber into which the tobacco is conveyed for humidifying a gas and passing the. same through the chamber in a I direction relative to the position of the tobacco to effect the minimum degree of disturbance of the leaves, means in the next adjacent chamber for substantially completely saturating a gas with moisture, means for causing the gas to flow over the tobacco in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the gas in' the first chamber so as to effect the maximum degree of disturbance of the leaves of the tobacco, means in the next adjacent chamber for saturating a gas with water vapor, and means for causing the water vapor saturated gas to flow over the tobacco in the same direction of flow as takes place in the first chamber, and means for agitating the tobacco as it is moved through said chambers.

24. An apparatus for easing tobacco comprising a series of communicating chambers, means for conveying the tobacco serially through the chambers, means in the first chamber into which the tobacco is conveyed for humidifying a gas and passing the same through the chamber in a direction relative to the position of the tobacco to effect the minimum degree of disturbance of the leaves, means in the next adjacent chamber for substantially completely saturating a gas with moisture, means for causing the gas to flow over the tobacco in a direction opposite tothe direction of flow of the gas in the first chamber so as to eflfect the maximum degree of disturbance of the leaves of the tobacco, and means for agitating the tobacco as his moved through said chambers. 25. A method of treating tobacco comprising suspending hands of tobacco, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco to a priming stage, subjecting the tobacco in the priming stage to the action of humidified gas flowing vertically downwardly, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco into a casing stage wherein the suspended hands of tobacco are subjected to vertical flowing gas substantially completely saturated with moisture and moving in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the gas in the priming stage, and

mechanically agitating the leaves of the hand of tobacco as the same is moved through the casing stage.

26. A method of treating tobacco comprising suspending hands of tobacco, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco to a priming stage, subjecting the tobacco in the priming stage to the action of humidified gas flowing vertically downwardly, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco into a casing stage wherein the suspended hands of tobacco are subjected to vertical flowing gas substantially completely saturated with moisture and moving in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the gas in the priming stage, and then passing the suspended hands of tobacco into a stage wherein substantially completely moisture saturated gas flows vertically downwardly, and mechanically agitating the leaves of the hands of tobacco as they are conveyed through the casing and subsequent stages.

27. A method of treating tobacco comprising suspending hands of tobacco, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco to a priming stage, subjecting the tobacco in the priming stage to the action of humidified gas flowing vertically downwardly, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco into a casing stage wherein the suspended hands of tobacco are subjected to vertical flowing gas substantially completely saturated with moisture and moving in a' direction opposite to the direction of flow oi the gas in the priming stage, and

suriacewetting the leaves of the hands of tobacco by passing the same through a stage in which a humidified gas containing entrained moisture is passed in contact with the tobacco leaves.

28. A method of treating tobacco comprising suspending hands of tobacco, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco to a priming stage, subjecting the tobacco in the priming stage to the action of humidified gas flowing vertically downwardly, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco into a casing stage wherein the suspended hands of'tobacco are subjected to vertical flowing gas substantially completely saturated with moisture and moving in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the gas in the priming stage, and surface wetting the leaves of the hands of tobacco by passing the same through a stage in which a humidified gas containing entrained moisture is passed in contact with the tobacco leaves, and periodically reversing the direction of flow oi the humidified moisture entrained gas to eifect a complete wetting of the leaves of the hands 01' tobacco.

29. A method of treating tobacco comprising suspending hands of tobacco, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco to a priming stage, subjecting the tobacco in the priming stage to the action of humidified gas flowing vertically downwardly, conveying the suspended hands or tobacco into a casing stage wherein the suspended hands of tobacco are subjected to vertical flowing gas substantially completely saturated with perature approximately that of the atmosphere into which the tobacco is to be discharged is circulated in contact with the tobaccoin order to cool the same to a temperature at which the tobacco will retain its moisture upon being discharged from the stage.

30. A method of treating tobacco comprising suspending hands of tobacco, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco to a priming stage, subjecting the tobacco in the priming stage to the action of humidified gas flowing vertically downwardly, conveying the suspended hands of tobacco into a casing stage wherein the suspended hands of tobacco are subjected to vertical flowing gas substantially completely saturated with moisture and moving in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the gas in the priming stage, and subsequently passing the tobacco into a stage wherein moisture saturated gas at a temperature approximately that of the desired to fabricate the same.

31. An apparatus for treating tobacco comprising, a treating chamber where the tobacco hands are subjected to a gas conditioned both as to moisture contentand as to temperature, support means for the hands, means to progressively move the support means for the hands in the chamber, and means to agitate the support means to agitate the hands to permit the conditioned gas to more readily obtain access to the tobacco leaves.

32. An apparatus for treating tobacco comprising, a treating chamber wherein the tobacco hands are subjected to a gas conditioned both as to temperature and moisture content, a conveyor in the chamber, supmrt means for the hands on the conveyor, and means to agitate the support means to agitate the hands to permit the conditioned gas to more readily obtain access to the tobacco leaves. I

33. An apparatus for treating tobacco comprising, a conveyor on which the hands are supported, a treating chamber conditioned as to temperature and humidity in which the conveyor travels to cause the tobacco hands to move within the chamber, and means cooperating with the conveyor to agitate the hands of tobacco.

34. The herein described method of conditioning tobacco leaf wrappers to render them soft and pliant, which consists in passing suspended hands of leaves through a chamber, slowly and in. direct contact with a current of humid air moving through the chamber, the said air having a moisture content at least as great as 96 ggr cent and a temperature of approximately 35. The herein described method of conditioning tobacco leaf wrappers to render them' soft and pliant, which consists in continually passing suspended hands of leaves through an upwardly moving current of humid air having a moisture content at least as great as 96 per cent and a temperature of approximately 80 F., and in maintaining the leaves in such atmosphere for a period of time suflicient to render them soft and pliant.

36. The herein described method of conditioning tobacco leaf. wrappers to render them soft and pliant, which consists in passing suspended hands of leaves through a chamber slowly and in direct contact with a current of humid air moving through the chamber, said air having a high moisture content and a temperature of approximately 80 F.

3'7. A process of treating tobacco comprising,

continually passing the tobacco into and out of a conditioning zone, where in such continuous passage through. the zone the tobacco is subjected to a temperature of from 70 to 85 F., and a relative humidity in excess of 94 per cent.

38. A process of treating tobacco comprising, continually passing the tobacco into and out of a conditioning zone, where in such continuous passage through the zone the tobacco is subjected to 'a temperature of from 70 to 85 F., and

a high relative humidity.

39. A process of treating tobacco comprising, continually passing the tobacco into and out of a conditioning zone, where in such continuous passage through the zone the tobacco is subjected to a temperature of from 70 to 85 F., and'a relative humidity at least as great as that which approxi- I mates complete saturation.

40. A process of. treating tobacco comprising, continually passing the tobacco into and out of a conditioning zone, where in such continuous passage through the zone the tobacco is subjected to a temperature approximating 70 F. and a high relative humidity.

41. A process of treating tobacco comprising, continually passing the tobacco into and out of a conditioning zone, where in such continuous passage through the zone the tobacco is 'subiected to a temperature approximating 85 F. and a high relative humidity.

42. A process of treating tobacco comprising, suspending the hands on a support, continually passing the tobacco on the support into and out of the zone where it is subjected to an air conditioned both as to temperature and humidity,

44. The herein-described method of conditioning cigar wrapper leaf tobacco to render the leaves soft and pliant, which consists in continuously passing suspended hands of leaves through a conditioning chamber, causing humid air to pass upward through the chamber and through the traveling leaves, and in imparting a swinging motion to the hands of leaves as they pass through the chamber.

4 5. The method for conditioning of tobacco which includes moving hands of tobacco,through a humid atmosphere and periodically agitating the hands.

46. The herein-described method of conditionaing cigar wrapper leaf tobacco to render the leaves soft and-pliant, which consists in passing suspended hands of leaves through a humid atmosphere and in imparting a swinging motion to the hands during the conditioning operation. GORDON D. HARRIS.

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