GB380823A - Improvements in and relating to apparatus for spreading tobacco leaves - Google Patents

Abstract

380,823. Tobacco-stemming machines. TRIGGS, W. W., 57, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.-(International Cigar Machinery Co. ; 5520, 2nd Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.) June 17, 1931, No. 15622/32. Divided on 380,496. [Class 130.] Tobacco leaves are spread by passing them through a chamber provided with air inlets and outlets so arranged that the leaves are spread and straightened solely by the action of the air passing through the chamber which flows in contact with the web portions of the leaves. Tobacco leaves L are hung on a conveyer 12 by spring clips 11 and on arrival above the spreading chamber the clips are opened by a cam 14 and the stem S of each leaf is gripped in a clamp 15 carried on a rod 17. The rod moves downwards and the leaf is guided by flaring lips 24 into a narrow chamber 25 the clamp being opened by a cam 22. As shown in Fig. 3, the ends 25<1> of the chamber 25 are connected by pipes 26 to a suction fan and the chamber is divided into halves between which are grooved strips 27 supported by plates 27a openings being provided between the halves and the strips to provide air inlets along opposite sides of the leaf. The air passing from the inlets to the outlets uncurls and straightens the leaf and also cleans it. The leaf is carried through the chamber 25 by belts 28 which pass through the grooves in the strips 27, and on emerging from the belts 28 the leaves are guided by adjustable belts 31. The outspread leaves are received on a perforated sleeve 44 which rotates about a stationary drum 45 the leaves being held by suction and carried forward until they are gripped between the sleeve and an adjustable belt 50 which delivers the leaves in a flat condition for further treatment.