GB976903A - Method and apparatus for separating tobacco - Google Patents

Abstract

976,903. Treating tobacco. K. KORBER. March 23, 1961 [April 16, 1960; Oct. 31, 1960; Feb. 22, 1961], No. 10675/61. Heading A2C. [Also in Division B2] Tobacco is pneumatically fed through pipes 9, 3 to an inclined separating chamber 10 within a casing 2, and the air flow causes the lighter leaf product to rise and be drawn through a duct 15 leading to a pneumatic extractor pipe 18, whereas the heavier rib product falls to a duct 4 and an outlet 7 via an extractor device 5 driven by a motor 6. Screen-like apertures 23, 24 are located in a wall 12, and a screen 25 is provided as shown so that air currents are drawn through the apertures 23, 24 into a chamber 30, and then pass through the screen 25 to the extractor pipe 18. Leaf material is thus deflected to a more vertical position towards the wall 12 and the rib material is deflected to a more vertical position downwardly. A secondary air inlet 19 adjustable by a valve 20 is located in the wall 11, and a similar valve adjusted port is positioned in the wall 16. The suction air flow through the apertures 23, 24 is controlled by a valve 28 which, in the closed position, cuts off the screen 25 from beneath. Adjustable V-shaped guides 32, 36 control the direction of inflow of the product. In a modification the lower wall of the pipe 18 is additionally in the form of a screen, and air flow through it is controlled by a valve; the apertures 23, 24 have adjustable covers to vary the airflow therethrough. Instead of the screen 25 of Fig. 1, that part may be replaced by a pivoted adjustable blade controlling flow from the chamber 30. In the embodiment of Fig. 7 the wall 12 is replaced by ducts 53, 54 and 55 extending to the pipe 18 and controlled by pivoted valves 73, 75 and 77.