Vacuum packing methods and apparatus for tobacco

Abstract

Apparatus and methods of packing leaf tobacco preserve the integrity of tobacco, help retain freshness and moisture content of tobacco, and also help eliminate insect infestation. A packing container for leaf tobacco includes a carton, and a flexible, non-porous bag located within the carton. The bag includes a closeable opening through which the bag receives a quantity of tightly packed leaf tobacco. The bag is configured to have air extracted therefrom and to maintain a sub-atmospheric pressure therein.

1 . A method of packing tobacco, comprising:
 supplying a quantity of tightly packed tobacco into a flexible, non-porous bag through a closeable opening thereof, wherein the bag is positioned within an open container;   closing the opening of the bag;   extracting air from the bag so as to create a sub-atmospheric pressure therein; and   closing the open container such that the bag resides within the closed container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein supplying a quantity of tightly packed tobacco comprises compressing the tobacco within the bag by forcing a press ram downwardly through the bag opening. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting a colorimetric detector within the bag before closing the opening of the bag, wherein the colorimetric detector is viewable through the closed bag, and wherein the colorimetric detector is configured to change color when an environmental condition within the bag changes and/or when a chemical element associated with the tobacco within the bag changes. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the colorimetric detector is configured to change color when a moisture level and/or temperature level within the bag is outside of a predetermined range. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the colorimetric detector is configured to change color when an oxygen level, nitrogen level and/or carbon-dioxide level within the bag is outside of a predetermined range. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the colorimetric detector is configured to change color when a chemical element level associated with the tobacco within the bag is outside of a predetermined range. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the chemical element is selected from the group consisting of nitrosamines, sugars, and oils. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is formed from a multi-layered composite material, and wherein at least one of the layers is an opaque or semi-transparent material. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is formed from an opaque or semi-transparent material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bag has a wall thickness of at least about 100 microns. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bag opening is a re-sealable opening that includes a male zipper portion and a corresponding female zipper portion configured to matingly engage with the male zipper portion, and wherein closing the opening of the bag comprises engaging the male and female zipper portions. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the re-sealable opening comprises a slide mechanism movably secured thereto and wherein closing the bag opening comprises moving the slide mechanism along the opening to engage the male and female zipper portions. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bag comprises a valve, and wherein extracting air from the sealed bag comprises extracting air via the valve. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is configured to maintain a sub-atmospheric pressure therein of between about 0.10 bar to about 0.80 bar. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising purging the closed bag with an inert gas prior to extracting air from the bag. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a rectangular carton. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tobacco is selected from the group consisting of Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, Sun Cured tobacco, Dark Fired tobacco, green tobacco, strip tobacco, loose leaf tobacco, bundle tobacco, butted loose leaf tobacco, and cut rag tobacco. 
     
     
         18 - 108 . (canceled) 
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is formed from material comprising a color that facilitates identification of the type of tobacco within the bag. 
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is formed from material comprising a color that indicates at least one of destination of the tobacco, origin of the tobacco, and ownership of the tobacco. 
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is formed from a multi-layered composite material, and wherein at least one of the layers comprises a color that facilitates identification of the type of tobacco within the bag. 
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bag is formed from a multi-layered composite material, and wherein at least one of the layers comprises a color that indicates at least one of destination of the tobacco, origin of the tobacco, and ownership of the tobacco.