Process for adjusting the moisture content of tobacco

• Main Authors: FISCHER; EUGENE B, CRUMP, III; JOHN C, WINTERSON; WARREN D
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 24.01.1995
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: CIGARETTES; CIGARS; HUMAN NECESSITIES; MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING ORCHEWING; SMOKERS' REQUISITES; SNUFF; TOBACCO

A process for reordering tobacco wherein tobacco is contacted with an air stream having a relative humidity near the equilibrium conditions of the tobacco. As the OV content of the tobacco increases, the relative humidity of the air stream contacting the tobacco is increased to effect reordering of the tobacco. Also provided is a process for drying tobacco, wherein tobacco is contacted with an air stream having a relative humidity near or below the equilibrium conditions of the tobacco. As the OV content of the tobacco decreases, the relative humidity of the air stream contacting the tobacco is decreased to effect drying of the tobacco. Tobacco is reordered or dried according to the processes of the present invention in a continuous manner preferably using a self-stacking spiral conveyor.