Method and apparatus for elevating tobacco temperature

A method of preparing tobacco comprising the steps of:

• providing to a pneumatic chimney a supply of tobacco fibershaving an elevated moisture content of greater than approximately 12.4%;
• pneumatically conveying the supply of tobacco fibers through the pneumatic chimney to a tobacco rod former via driven air;
• and
• heating the tobacco fibers in the pneumatic chimney to a temperature greater than approximately 35.degree. C. prior to arrival at the tobacco rod former.

An apparatus for preparing tobacco comprising:

• means for supplying tobacco, said tobacco supplying means supplying tobacco having a moisture content greater than approximately 12.4%;
• means for separating supplied tobacco into fibers;
• means for conveying the separated tobacco fibers to a tobacco rod former, said conveying means comprising a pneumatic chimney having an upper aperture communicating directly with the tobacco rod former;
• and
• a heat source for heating the separated tobacco fibers in said pneumatic chimney prior to said conveying means conveying the separated tobacco fibers to the rod former at the upper aperture, wherein said heat source heats the separated tobacco fibers to a temperature greater than approximately 35.degree. C.