CA2250592A1 - Defoliation device - Google Patents
Defoliation device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2250592A1 CA2250592A1 CA 2250592 CA2250592A CA2250592A1 CA 2250592 A1 CA2250592 A1 CA 2250592A1 CA 2250592 CA2250592 CA 2250592 CA 2250592 A CA2250592 A CA 2250592A CA 2250592 A1 CA2250592 A1 CA 2250592A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- slot
- shaft
- stalk
- length
- blade
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A23—FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
- A23N—MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HARVESTED FRUIT, VEGETABLES OR FLOWER BULBS IN BULK, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PEELING VEGETABLES OR FRUIT IN BULK; APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ANIMAL FEEDING- STUFFS
- A23N15/00—Machines or apparatus for other treatment of fruits or vegetables for human purposes; Machines or apparatus for topping or skinning flower bulbs
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for stripping leaves and offshoots from stalks. The apparatus has a table with upper and lower faces. The table has a slot extending between the upper and lower faces. Beneath the slot is a rotatable cutter which has at least one blade.
Preferably the cutter has a number of helically arranged blades, like a push-type lawn mower. A vacuum pulls air through the slot from above the table, and past the rotating blades. Stalks with leaves or stalks are passed over the slot so that the stalk is parallel to the slot. Leaves are sucked into the slot and when the leaves reach beneath the table they are cut of by the rotating blades. The leaves are transported by the vacuum to a container. The cut leaves, especially those with medical or therapeutic chemicals therein, may be mulched, and the chemicals extracted.
Preferably the cutter has a number of helically arranged blades, like a push-type lawn mower. A vacuum pulls air through the slot from above the table, and past the rotating blades. Stalks with leaves or stalks are passed over the slot so that the stalk is parallel to the slot. Leaves are sucked into the slot and when the leaves reach beneath the table they are cut of by the rotating blades. The leaves are transported by the vacuum to a container. The cut leaves, especially those with medical or therapeutic chemicals therein, may be mulched, and the chemicals extracted.
Description
r r DEFOLIATION DEVICE
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a defoliation device. In particular it relates to an apparatus for stripping leaves from stalks.
Background to the Invention Leaf stripping and decorti~.ation machines are known. For example, U.S. Patent 2 759 224 to W.B.
Simmons, which issued August 21, 1956, discloses machinery for decortication or extraction of plant fibres from various plant fibres. U.S. Patent 3 670 366 to Villanueva et al., which issued June 20, 1972, discloses a stripping machine for abaca and similar plants. U.S. Patent 4 350 172 to J. Guthrie, which issued September 21, 1982, discloses a tobacco leaf stripper for confining tip grade, leaf grade and trash grade into separate containers.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a defoliation apparatus comprising:
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slot having a length, and a width transverse to the length;
b) a cutter comprising at least. one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spaced apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot; and c) a housing for the rotatable blades, said housing being attached to the lower face of the table and having an aperture for connecting to a vacuum source.
In one embodiment, the width of the slot is greater at the upper face than at the lower face.
In a further embodiment, the width of the slot is greater at the upper face than at the lower face such that interior faces of the slot meet the lower face of the table in a sharp edge.
In a further embodiment, the angle between an interior face of the slot and the lower face of the table is from 30 to 60 degrees.
In another embodiment, the blades are helically disposed about the shaft.
In yet another embodiment, there are from 2 to 12 blades disposed at equal intervals around the shaft.
In a further embodiment, the shaft is journalled in ends to the housing and the aperture for connecting to the vacuum source is in one of the ends.
The invention also provides a method for stripping vegetation from a stalk using an apparatus comprising:
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slob having a length, and a width transverse to the length;
b) a cutter comprising at least one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spa~~ed apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot; and said method comprising:
i) feeding a stalk across the upper face of the table such that a longitudinal axis of the stalk is parallel to the length of the slot and such that vegetation attached to the stalk passes over the slot;
ii) simultaneously drawing air through the slot from above the upper face of the table at a sufficient rate to draw vegetation into the slot to a position below the lower face of the table; and iii) cutting the vegetation below the lower face of the table, by rotating the blade about the shaft.
In one embodiment, the vegetation cut from the stalk is collected.
In another embodiment, the air is drawn through the slot by mean of a vacuum source.
In a further embodiment, the vegetation cut from the stalk is collected and mulched.
In another embodiment the vegetation is selected from leaves, leaf tips and offshoots.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method for removing offshoots from a stalk which has offshoots attached along the stalk, with an apparatus comprising:
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slot having a length, and a width transverse to the length; and b) a cutter comprising at least one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spaced apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot;
said method comprising:
i) feeding a stalk into the slot from above the upper face of the table, such that a longitudinal axis of the stalk is parallel to the length of the slot and the offshoots are forced into the slot; and ii) cutting portions of the offshoots which are forced below the lower face of the table, by rotating the blade about the shaft.
In one embodiment, the cut portions of the offshoots are drawn away by drawing air through the slot from above the upper face of the table.
In another embodiment, the stalk is fed into the slot by progressively feeding a tip of the stalk along the length of the slot while simultaneously rotating the stalk about its longitudinal axis.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a defoliation apparatus of the presen-t invention.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cutter, housing and table of the defoliation device of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a top view of a cutter and a housing of Figure 2 with the table removed.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 shows a defoliation apparatus 10 which comprises a table 11 with a longitudinal slot 12 across the table, a cutter (not shown in Figure 1) and a housing 13. The housing has ends 16, one of which has a vacuum hose 14 connected thereto. The cutter is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3. The cutter comprises a plurality of blades 18 which are attached to a rotatable shaft 19 by struts 20. Shaft 19 is rctatable about longitudinal axis 21. The cutter is encased in housing 13 which is bolted or otherwise secured to lower face 22 of table 11. The cutter is journalled in bearings 15 in the ends J_6 ofthe housing 13. The cutter is driven by motor 17. Shaft i9 is parallel to the length direction of slot 12.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a defoliation device. In particular it relates to an apparatus for stripping leaves from stalks.
Background to the Invention Leaf stripping and decorti~.ation machines are known. For example, U.S. Patent 2 759 224 to W.B.
Simmons, which issued August 21, 1956, discloses machinery for decortication or extraction of plant fibres from various plant fibres. U.S. Patent 3 670 366 to Villanueva et al., which issued June 20, 1972, discloses a stripping machine for abaca and similar plants. U.S. Patent 4 350 172 to J. Guthrie, which issued September 21, 1982, discloses a tobacco leaf stripper for confining tip grade, leaf grade and trash grade into separate containers.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a defoliation apparatus comprising:
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slot having a length, and a width transverse to the length;
b) a cutter comprising at least. one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spaced apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot; and c) a housing for the rotatable blades, said housing being attached to the lower face of the table and having an aperture for connecting to a vacuum source.
In one embodiment, the width of the slot is greater at the upper face than at the lower face.
In a further embodiment, the width of the slot is greater at the upper face than at the lower face such that interior faces of the slot meet the lower face of the table in a sharp edge.
In a further embodiment, the angle between an interior face of the slot and the lower face of the table is from 30 to 60 degrees.
In another embodiment, the blades are helically disposed about the shaft.
In yet another embodiment, there are from 2 to 12 blades disposed at equal intervals around the shaft.
In a further embodiment, the shaft is journalled in ends to the housing and the aperture for connecting to the vacuum source is in one of the ends.
The invention also provides a method for stripping vegetation from a stalk using an apparatus comprising:
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slob having a length, and a width transverse to the length;
b) a cutter comprising at least one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spa~~ed apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot; and said method comprising:
i) feeding a stalk across the upper face of the table such that a longitudinal axis of the stalk is parallel to the length of the slot and such that vegetation attached to the stalk passes over the slot;
ii) simultaneously drawing air through the slot from above the upper face of the table at a sufficient rate to draw vegetation into the slot to a position below the lower face of the table; and iii) cutting the vegetation below the lower face of the table, by rotating the blade about the shaft.
In one embodiment, the vegetation cut from the stalk is collected.
In another embodiment, the air is drawn through the slot by mean of a vacuum source.
In a further embodiment, the vegetation cut from the stalk is collected and mulched.
In another embodiment the vegetation is selected from leaves, leaf tips and offshoots.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method for removing offshoots from a stalk which has offshoots attached along the stalk, with an apparatus comprising:
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slot having a length, and a width transverse to the length; and b) a cutter comprising at least one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spaced apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot;
said method comprising:
i) feeding a stalk into the slot from above the upper face of the table, such that a longitudinal axis of the stalk is parallel to the length of the slot and the offshoots are forced into the slot; and ii) cutting portions of the offshoots which are forced below the lower face of the table, by rotating the blade about the shaft.
In one embodiment, the cut portions of the offshoots are drawn away by drawing air through the slot from above the upper face of the table.
In another embodiment, the stalk is fed into the slot by progressively feeding a tip of the stalk along the length of the slot while simultaneously rotating the stalk about its longitudinal axis.
Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a defoliation apparatus of the presen-t invention.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cutter, housing and table of the defoliation device of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a top view of a cutter and a housing of Figure 2 with the table removed.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 shows a defoliation apparatus 10 which comprises a table 11 with a longitudinal slot 12 across the table, a cutter (not shown in Figure 1) and a housing 13. The housing has ends 16, one of which has a vacuum hose 14 connected thereto. The cutter is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3. The cutter comprises a plurality of blades 18 which are attached to a rotatable shaft 19 by struts 20. Shaft 19 is rctatable about longitudinal axis 21. The cutter is encased in housing 13 which is bolted or otherwise secured to lower face 22 of table 11. The cutter is journalled in bearings 15 in the ends J_6 ofthe housing 13. The cutter is driven by motor 17. Shaft i9 is parallel to the length direction of slot 12.
End 16 (not identified in Figure 2) has an aperture 23 at a position distal to the lower face 22. Aperture 23 has connecting means (not shown) for connecting vacuum hose 14. Housing 13 is shown in Figure 2 as being marginally larger than the sweep of the rotating blades 18, i.e. marginally larger than the dotted line C. The housing 13 may be larger. For example, housing 13 may extend so that there is a trough at a position furthest away from lower face 22. The trough may be large enough to allow collection of stripped leaves to be sucked through aperture 23.
Figure 2 shows slot 12 as having a width great=er at the upper face 23 than at the lower face 22, i.e. the slot tapers in width from the upper face to the lower face. As will be seen in Figure 2, interior face 25 of slot 12 meets lower face 22 at an acute angle 26. This angle is preferably from 30 to 60 degrees, and even more preferably from 40 to 50 degrees. Preferably the edge of the acute angle is razor sharp. The taper may be continuous as shown or may be discontinuous, e.g. the slot may be stepped. The distance between shaft 19 and slot 12 is such that the cutting edges of blades 18, when rotating about a circle indicated by dotted line C, may skim the edges of slot at the lower face 22 in order to provide cutting surfaces. Alternatively, the blades may pass a short distance, e.g. 1-5 mm away from the lower face 22.
The cutter blades 18 may be parallel to shaft 19 or preferable the cutter blades are helically disposed along the shaft 19, as shown in Figure 3. Blades helically disposed around a shaft may be similar to those used z_n "push mower"-type lawn mowers. Figure 3 only snows those blades between the shaft and the observer, and the blades under the shaft are not show, for clarity. Shaft 19 is journalled in bearings 15 in housing ends 16. Shaft 19 is coupled to a motor, e.g.
an electric motor 17.
In operation, vacuum tube 14 is attached to a vacuum source with a filter (not shown). Motor 17 is turned on, in order to rotate shaft 19 and the attached blades. Stalks with leaves attached, are pushed over the upper face 23 of table 11. The stalks are substantially parallel to the length direction of slot 12. When a stalk reaches slot 12, air being drawn through the slot 12 by the vacuum, tends to draw the leaves into slot 12. As the leaves are so drawn, the rotating blades 18 cut of shear the leaves from the stalk. Cutting the leaves may leave stumps or offshoots on the stalk. Removal of the offshoots so left may be accomplished by rotating the stalk within the slot, especially while applying a downward force on the stalk so that the offshoots are pushed below the lower face 22 of the table. A taper in the slot 12 helps to provide a smooth surface over which the stalls can be rotated.
Rotation of the stalk may be done manually. The sharp edge 26 may provide an additional cutting surface for removal of leaves or offshoots.
If the vacuum is strong enough, the leaves are sucked into the slot, into the path of the rotating blades J_8, and thus the 7_eaves are stripped off the stalks by the cutter. In the case of offshoots, these are not f1_exible enough to be drawn into the slot by the vacuum but they may be transported by the action of the air after being cut from the stalk.
After being stripped from the stalk, the leaves or offshoots are carried down into the housing 13. The leaves or offshoots are then sucked through aperture 23 and thence into the filter (not shown) in the vacuum.
As indicated hereinbefore, housing 13 may have a trough at the bottom, in order to provide an unobstructed pathway foe the leaves and offshoots to be sucked through the aperture 23.
The particle sire of the leaves depends in part on the speed of rotation of the cutter, the gap between the blades 18 and the lower face 22, and the distance between the cutter blades 18 and the housing 13.
Typically, the width of the slot is from 1 mm to 5 cm and the distance between the cutter blades and the lower face is up to about 5 mm, typically from 1 to 5 mm. Preferably the cutter has a diameter of from 10 cm to 15 cm and a speed of rotation from about 2000 rpm to 4000 rpm.
It will be understood that leaves from the tip of the stalk only may be stripped from the stalk by ensuring that only the tip enters the slot. This can be accomplished by having a slot of a length only as long as the tip. Alternatively, a supplementary upper face may be put on the upper face of the table such that the supplementary face is at any angle to the upper face, preventing the non-tip part of the stalk from entering the slot.
The invention is applicable to a variety of plants, including those with leaves for consumption, e.g leafy vegetables. Other uses for the cut leaves include industrial uses, clothing, fabric and smoking. The leaves may be contain substances which provide medicinal or therapeutic effects, e.g. herbal remedies.
For some applications, it is desirable to mulch the leaves and/or offshoots before further processing, e.g.
extracting chemicals from the leaves or stalks.
Figure 2 shows slot 12 as having a width great=er at the upper face 23 than at the lower face 22, i.e. the slot tapers in width from the upper face to the lower face. As will be seen in Figure 2, interior face 25 of slot 12 meets lower face 22 at an acute angle 26. This angle is preferably from 30 to 60 degrees, and even more preferably from 40 to 50 degrees. Preferably the edge of the acute angle is razor sharp. The taper may be continuous as shown or may be discontinuous, e.g. the slot may be stepped. The distance between shaft 19 and slot 12 is such that the cutting edges of blades 18, when rotating about a circle indicated by dotted line C, may skim the edges of slot at the lower face 22 in order to provide cutting surfaces. Alternatively, the blades may pass a short distance, e.g. 1-5 mm away from the lower face 22.
The cutter blades 18 may be parallel to shaft 19 or preferable the cutter blades are helically disposed along the shaft 19, as shown in Figure 3. Blades helically disposed around a shaft may be similar to those used z_n "push mower"-type lawn mowers. Figure 3 only snows those blades between the shaft and the observer, and the blades under the shaft are not show, for clarity. Shaft 19 is journalled in bearings 15 in housing ends 16. Shaft 19 is coupled to a motor, e.g.
an electric motor 17.
In operation, vacuum tube 14 is attached to a vacuum source with a filter (not shown). Motor 17 is turned on, in order to rotate shaft 19 and the attached blades. Stalks with leaves attached, are pushed over the upper face 23 of table 11. The stalks are substantially parallel to the length direction of slot 12. When a stalk reaches slot 12, air being drawn through the slot 12 by the vacuum, tends to draw the leaves into slot 12. As the leaves are so drawn, the rotating blades 18 cut of shear the leaves from the stalk. Cutting the leaves may leave stumps or offshoots on the stalk. Removal of the offshoots so left may be accomplished by rotating the stalk within the slot, especially while applying a downward force on the stalk so that the offshoots are pushed below the lower face 22 of the table. A taper in the slot 12 helps to provide a smooth surface over which the stalls can be rotated.
Rotation of the stalk may be done manually. The sharp edge 26 may provide an additional cutting surface for removal of leaves or offshoots.
If the vacuum is strong enough, the leaves are sucked into the slot, into the path of the rotating blades J_8, and thus the 7_eaves are stripped off the stalks by the cutter. In the case of offshoots, these are not f1_exible enough to be drawn into the slot by the vacuum but they may be transported by the action of the air after being cut from the stalk.
After being stripped from the stalk, the leaves or offshoots are carried down into the housing 13. The leaves or offshoots are then sucked through aperture 23 and thence into the filter (not shown) in the vacuum.
As indicated hereinbefore, housing 13 may have a trough at the bottom, in order to provide an unobstructed pathway foe the leaves and offshoots to be sucked through the aperture 23.
The particle sire of the leaves depends in part on the speed of rotation of the cutter, the gap between the blades 18 and the lower face 22, and the distance between the cutter blades 18 and the housing 13.
Typically, the width of the slot is from 1 mm to 5 cm and the distance between the cutter blades and the lower face is up to about 5 mm, typically from 1 to 5 mm. Preferably the cutter has a diameter of from 10 cm to 15 cm and a speed of rotation from about 2000 rpm to 4000 rpm.
It will be understood that leaves from the tip of the stalk only may be stripped from the stalk by ensuring that only the tip enters the slot. This can be accomplished by having a slot of a length only as long as the tip. Alternatively, a supplementary upper face may be put on the upper face of the table such that the supplementary face is at any angle to the upper face, preventing the non-tip part of the stalk from entering the slot.
The invention is applicable to a variety of plants, including those with leaves for consumption, e.g leafy vegetables. Other uses for the cut leaves include industrial uses, clothing, fabric and smoking. The leaves may be contain substances which provide medicinal or therapeutic effects, e.g. herbal remedies.
For some applications, it is desirable to mulch the leaves and/or offshoots before further processing, e.g.
extracting chemicals from the leaves or stalks.
Claims (18)
1. A defoliation apparatus comprising:
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slot having a length, and a width transverse to the length;
b) a cutter comprising at least one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spaced apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot; and c) a housing for the rotatable blades, said housing being attached to the lower face of the table and having an aperture for connecting to a vacuum source.
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slot having a length, and a width transverse to the length;
b) a cutter comprising at least one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spaced apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot; and c) a housing for the rotatable blades, said housing being attached to the lower face of the table and having an aperture for connecting to a vacuum source.
2. A defoliation apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the width of the slot is greater at the upper face than at the lower face.
3. A defoliation apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein interior faces of the slot meet the lower face of the table in a sharp edge.
4. A defoliation apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein an angle between an interior face of the slot and the lower face of the table is from 30 to 60 degrees.
5. A defoliation apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the blades are helically disposed about the shaft.
6. A defoliation apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein there are from 2 to 12 blades disposed at equal intervals around the shaft.
7. A defoliation apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein the blades are helically disposed about the shaft.
8. A defoliation apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the shaft is journalled in ends to the housing and the aperture for connecting to the vacuum source is in one of the ends.
9. A method for stripping vegetation from a stalk using an apparatus comprising:
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slot having a length, and a width transverse to the length; and b) a cutter comprising at least one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spaced apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot;
said method comprising:
i) feeding a stalk across the upper face of the table such that a longitudinal axis of the stalk is parallel to the length of the slot and such that vegetation attached to the stalk passes over the slot;
ii) simultaneously drawing air through the slot from above the upper face of the table at a sufficient rate to draw vegetation into the slot to a position below the lower face of the table; and iii) cutting the vegetation below the lower face of the table, by rotating the blade about the shaft.
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slot having a length, and a width transverse to the length; and b) a cutter comprising at least one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spaced apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot;
said method comprising:
i) feeding a stalk across the upper face of the table such that a longitudinal axis of the stalk is parallel to the length of the slot and such that vegetation attached to the stalk passes over the slot;
ii) simultaneously drawing air through the slot from above the upper face of the table at a sufficient rate to draw vegetation into the slot to a position below the lower face of the table; and iii) cutting the vegetation below the lower face of the table, by rotating the blade about the shaft.
10. A method according to Claim 9 wherein the vegetation cut from the stalk is collected.
11. A method according to Claim 9 wherein the air is drawn through the slot by mean of a vacuum source.
12. A method according to Claim 10 wherein the collected vegetation is mulched.
13. A method according to Claim 10 wherein the collected vegetation contains medicinal or therapeutic chemicals and the collected vegetation is processed to extract the chemicals.
14. A method according to Claim 9 wherein the vegetation is selected from leaves, leaf tips and offshoots.
15. A method for removing offshoots from a stalk which has offshoots attached along the stalk, with an apparatus comprising:
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slot having a length, and a width transverse to the length; and b) a cutter comprising at least one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spaced apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot;
said method comprising:
i) feeding a stalk into the slot from above the upper face of the table, such that a longitudinal axis of the stalk is parallel to the length of the slot and the offshoots are forced into the slot; and ii) cutting portions of the offshoots which are forced below the lower face of the table, by rotating the blade about the shaft.
a) a table with upper and lower faces, and having a slot therein extending between the upper and lower faces, said slot having a length, and a width transverse to the length; and b) a cutter comprising at least one blade, rotatable about a shaft which is parallel to the length of the slot, said shaft being spaced apart from the lower face of the table to permit the blade, when rotating about the shaft, to pass across the slot in close proximity to the lower face, said shaft being connectable to rotational means, said shaft and blade having lengths at least as long as the slot;
said method comprising:
i) feeding a stalk into the slot from above the upper face of the table, such that a longitudinal axis of the stalk is parallel to the length of the slot and the offshoots are forced into the slot; and ii) cutting portions of the offshoots which are forced below the lower face of the table, by rotating the blade about the shaft.
16. A method according to Claim 15 wherein the cut portions of the offshoots are drawn away by drawing air through the slot from above the upper face of the table.
17. A method according to Claim 15 wherein the collected offshoots contains medicinal or therapeutic chemicals and the collected offshoots are processed to extract the chemicals.
18. A method according to Claim 15 wherein the stalk is fed into the slot by progressively feeding a tip of the stalk along the length of the slot while simultaneously rotating the stalk about its longitudinal axis.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2250592 CA2250592A1 (en) | 1998-10-16 | 1998-10-16 | Defoliation device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2250592 CA2250592A1 (en) | 1998-10-16 | 1998-10-16 | Defoliation device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2250592A1 true CA2250592A1 (en) | 2000-04-16 |
Family
ID=29425482
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2250592 Abandoned CA2250592A1 (en) | 1998-10-16 | 1998-10-16 | Defoliation device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2250592A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2265767A1 (en) * | 2005-06-24 | 2007-02-16 | Corcomi Desarrollo Industrial, S.L. | Fruit gathering machine cuts off stems or branches from fruits moved on conveying belts by airflows |
| WO2012151706A1 (en) * | 2011-05-11 | 2012-11-15 | Hall Peter Ryan | Plant processing system and method |
| WO2017155411A1 (en) * | 2016-03-11 | 2017-09-14 | Albertz Jeanette Wilhelmina | Device and method for removing leaves from a plant |
-
1998
- 1998-10-16 CA CA 2250592 patent/CA2250592A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES2265767A1 (en) * | 2005-06-24 | 2007-02-16 | Corcomi Desarrollo Industrial, S.L. | Fruit gathering machine cuts off stems or branches from fruits moved on conveying belts by airflows |
| WO2012151706A1 (en) * | 2011-05-11 | 2012-11-15 | Hall Peter Ryan | Plant processing system and method |
| US9161566B2 (en) | 2011-05-11 | 2015-10-20 | Paolo Developments Ltd. | Plant processing system and method |
| WO2017155411A1 (en) * | 2016-03-11 | 2017-09-14 | Albertz Jeanette Wilhelmina | Device and method for removing leaves from a plant |
| NL2016425B1 (en) * | 2016-03-11 | 2017-09-27 | Wilhelmina Albertz Jeanette | Device and method for removing leaves from a plant. |
| US10506768B2 (en) | 2016-03-11 | 2019-12-17 | Jeannette Wilhelmina Albertz | Device and method for removing leaves from a plant |
| AU2017231591B2 (en) * | 2016-03-11 | 2021-12-09 | Jeanette Wilhelmina ALBERTZ | Device and method for removing leaves from a plant |
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