METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOISTURIZING TOBACCO STEMS

摘要

PATENT APPLICATION of JOHN D. PSARAS and LEROY R. SACHLEBEN for A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOISTURIZING TOBACCO STEMS Whole tobacco stems are uniformly moisturized by opening the cellular structure of the stems and inducing moisture to permeate the opened cellular structure. By an initial and simultaneous application of water and steam, the cellular structure of the stems is opened, and moisture permeates the structure to a first induced moisture content. Thereafter, the stems are equilibrated with the moisture diffusing throughout the cross-section of the stems. Subsequent to equilibration, the stems are moisturized to a second induced moisture content by initially applying water to the stems and thereafter a mixture of water and steam.