GB466994A - Improvements in and relating to the production of shredded tobacco - Google Patents

Abstract

466,994. Cutting tobacco. AMERICAN MACHINE & FOUNDRY CO. July 31, 1936, No. 21285. Convention date, Aug. 10, 1935. [Class 5 (i)] Dampened tobacco leaves spread upon a feed belt A are carried through a thrashing device B, where the side web portions of the butts of the stems are removed, to a butt separator C comprising sets of endless belts which progressively accelerate the stem butts to effect separation. The stem butts are then gripped between a pair of endless belts D which are twisted so that the leaves are turned so as to hang downwardly in which position they are carried between rotary beating members to disentangle the leaves and then through a suction mechanism by which the leaves are cleaned and spread out. Each projecting stem is then gripped between cam actuated gripper jaws G and carried through a drying chamber H in which the leaves are exposed to heated air ; afterwards the leaves pass sideways between two vertically arranged endless belts J provided with gripper bars that carry the leaves downwards to a shedding mechanism K, the gripped butts being cut off by a stationary knife I. The shredding mechanism comprises two groups of interengaging cutting discs 27 and the shredded tobacco falls on to a conveyer belt 28 that carries it to a winnowing device L which separates the heavy stem parts from the lighter leaf portions by a blast from a fan 30. A reciprocatory blade cutter co-operating with a ledger-blade may replace the rotary shredding cutters. The knife I may be dispensed with, the gripper jaws being opened by cams to release the leaves. Specification 419,595, [Group VI], is referred to.