Process for packaging leaf tobacco

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A method of treating leaf tobacco for, storage includes removing the stems from the tobacco leaves, tightly packing the leaves in a container that is non-conductive and while the leaves have a relatively high moisture content; subjecting the packed leaves to a heat treatment by exposing the packed container to an electromagnetic field to heat the leaves to a temperature of approximately 180°; subsequently subjecting the packed leaves to a high vacuum to reduce the moisture content thereof and to reduce the temperature of the leaves; the packed container may also be subjected to a low temperature treatment while being subjected to the vacuum.