Methods of curing tobacco that reduce the levels of TSNAs and/or improve leaf quality are described herein.

A system and method for curing or drying tobacco leaves are described herein. The method includes flowing a first combustion gas generated by a first heat source through a first flue pipe provided inside a first barn to heat air inside the first barn to cure a first batch of tobacco leaves disposed inside the first barn; transferring at least a portion of the first combustion gas generated by the first heat source to a second flue pipe provided inside a second barn adjacent the first barn to heat the second barn and start curing a second batch of tobacco leaves disposed inside the second barn; and flowing second combustion gas generated by a second heat source through the second flue pipe to continue curing the second batch of tobacco leaves after the second barn is heated.

A system and method for curing or drying tobacco leaves are described herein. The method includes flowing a first combustion gas generated by a first heat source through a first flue pipe provided inside a first barn to heat air inside the first barn to cure a first batch of tobacco leaves disposed inside the first barn; transferring at least a portion of the first combustion gas generated by the first heat source to a second flue pipe provided inside a second barn adjacent the first barn to heat the second barn and start curing a second batch of tobacco leaves disposed inside the second barn; and flowing second combustion gas generated by a second heat source through the second flue pipe to continue curing the second batch of tobacco leaves after the second barn is heated.

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for use in a flue-cured barn. The apparatus comprises a combustion chamber for burning fuel; an exhaust pipe for allowing combustion gases to leave the combustion chamber; and a fan for drawing the combustion gases along the exhaust pipe away from the combustion chamber and for generating a negative pressure within the combustion chamber and exhaust pipe compared with the pressure outside the apparatus.

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for use in a flue-cured barn. The apparatus comprises a combustion chamber for burning fuel; an exhaust pipe for allowing combustion gases to leave the combustion chamber; and a fan for drawing the combustion gases along the exhaust pipe away from the combustion chamber and for generating a negative pressure within the combustion chamber and exhaust pipe compared with the pressure outside the apparatus.

A heater (160) is provided for use in curing tobacco or other similar processes. The heater comprises: a furnace (211) having a chamber in which to burn fuel to generate heat; and a heat exchanger (230) for transferring heat from the heater to an airflow for use in curing the tobacco or other similar process. The airflow passes outside the heater. The heat exchanger has one or more pipes (220B-2,220A-2) that connect into the chamber of the furnace and is integrated into the furnace. For example, the heat exchanger may have a plurality of pipes (220B-2,220A-2) that connect into the chamber of the furnace, wherein the plurality of pipes (220B-2,220A-2) comprises two rows of pipes, one on each side of the furnace. The heat exchanger may further include a plenum (231B, 231A), wherein each of the pipes (220B-2,220A-2) leads upwards from the furnace chamber (211) to the plenum (231B, 231A). The heat exchanger may be integrated into the furnace by the use of one or more welded junctions.

A heater (160) is provided for use in curing tobacco or other similar processes. The heater comprises: a furnace (211) having a chamber in which to burn fuel to generate heat; and a heat exchanger (230) for transferring heat from the heater to an airflow for use in curing the tobacco or other similar process. The airflow passes outside the heater. The heat exchanger has one or more pipes (220B-2,220A-2) that connect into the chamber of the furnace and is integrated into the furnace. For example, the heat exchanger may have a plurality of pipes (220B-2,220A-2) that connect into the chamber of the furnace, wherein the plurality of pipes (220B-2,220A-2) comprises two rows of pipes, one on each side of the furnace. The heat exchanger may further include a plenum (231B, 231A), wherein each of the pipes (220B-2,220A-2) leads upwards from the furnace chamber (211) to the plenum (231B, 231A). The heat exchanger may be integrated into the furnace by the use of one or more welded junctions.

The present invention is in the field of tobacco conditioning, which is performed generally after curing and before baling. It has been identified that cured tobacco is very brittle and difficult to handle without damaging the tobacco leaf. In order to address this issue an apparatus for post-curing conditioning of tobacco is provided. The apparatus includes a tobacco chamber for storing cured tobacco leaves for conditioning; and an air processing facility which includes: a ventilation system for creating an airflow through the apparatus, wherein said airflow is drawn into the air processing facility, passes from the air processing facility into the tobacco chamber, and subsequently exits the apparatus; a heater for adding heat to the airflow; and a humidity generator for adding moisture to the airflow.

The present invention is in the field of tobacco conditioning, which is performed generally after curing and before baling. It has been identified that cured tobacco is very brittle and difficult to handle without damaging the tobacco leaf. In order to address this issue an apparatus for post-curing conditioning of tobacco is provided. The apparatus includes a tobacco chamber for storing cured tobacco leaves for conditioning; and an air processing facility which includes: a ventilation system for creating an airflow through the apparatus, wherein said airflow is drawn into the air processing facility, passes from the air processing facility into the tobacco chamber, and subsequently exits the apparatus; a heater for adding heat to the airflow; and a humidity generator for adding moisture to the airflow.

A method of preparing a smoke-treated tobacco material is provided, the method including the steps of: (i) subjecting a tobacco material to smoke to give a smoke-treated tobacco material with modified taste characteristics; and (ii) incorporating the smoke-treated tobacco material into a smokeless tobacco product. The invention also provides a smokeless tobacco product incorporating a smoke-treated tobacco material. The smokeless tobacco product may be, for example, a moist snuff tobacco product.