Method of processing green tobacco leaves into cut tobacco

Abstract

In general, this invention belongs to the tobacco production and processing sector and more specifically it refers to the method of producing cut rag tobacco for cigarettes and other products from green tobacco leaves by the innovative integration of the GLT and Primary processes, with lower investment and operational production costs, while generating cut rag tobacco with high filling power while maintaining a flavor approximately equal to that of the original tobacco.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for processing green leaf tobacco into cut tobacco comprising:
 a) grading/blending the green leaf tobacco;   b) tipping the augmented green leaf tobacco;   c) conditioning butts and tips of the green leaf tobacco;   d) picking butts and tips of the green leaf tobacco;   e) threshing the lamina leaf (butts) of the green leaf tobacco;   f) separating the lamina/stem;   g) conditioning and casing the lamina;   h) blending and bulking lamina;   i) cutting the lamina to generate cut rag;   j) drying the lamina cut rag;   k) removing of objectionable stems (OBJ);   I) passing through a flavor cylinder; and   m) pressing/packaging.   
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein step a) the green tobacco leaves are cured and not fermented, and baled with a relative humidity ranging from 18% to 19%. 
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein step b) has at least two adjustable circular knives, spaced approximately from 1″ to 2″ apart, varying the number of knives, and cut size according to the type of tobacco. 
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein steps e) and f) has only threestages of threshing/separation. 
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein step g) comprises increasing a relative humidity to 23% to 26% for lamina strips. 
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein step g) comprises supplying green tobacco directly to the Primary with 18 to 19% relative humidity. 
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein step j) comprises reducing the relative humidity of the cut tobacco to 11% to 14%. 
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein after step h), optionally, adding steam conditioning occurs before the cutting machine. 
     
     
         21 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein step k) comprises providing a vertical airseparator. 
     
     
         22 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein after step k), optionally, passing through a cooler. 
     
     
         23 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein after step k), optionally, passing through a screening shaker to remove fine particles and dust. 
     
     
         24 . The process according to  claim 13 , wherein prior to step m), optionally, passing through final silos for homogenization.