US1436402A

US1436402A - Tobacco-stripping machine

Info

Publication number: US1436402A
Application number: US52570A
Authority: US
Inventors: John O Morris
Original assignee: PLANTERS STEMMING Co
Current assignee: PLANTERS STEMMING Co
Priority date: 1915-09-25
Filing date: 1915-09-25
Publication date: 1922-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 1939-11-21

Description

J. O. MORRIS.

TOB'ACCO STRIPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.25, 1915- RENEWED FEB-5,1919.

Patented Nov. 21, 1922 a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

if Mn 2 m3 m3 2 mm mm &3 w 1 cm m mm aw m 2+ 2w 5 g. Q H 0 mm mm H a a 0 mm CA HS 0 2 Z; I. llnlm lfl H ATTORNEYS WITNESSES 1.0. MORRIS.

- TOBACCO STRIPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.25,1'91s. RENEWED FEB. 5. 1919.

1,436,4UQ. Patented Nov. 21, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHtET 2.

WITNESSES 3% uw/nv r09 RENEWED FEB-5,1919.

Patented Nov 21, 1922.,

msmwz.

3 SHEETS$HI:ET 3.

P On II I v, J -fi H m? i 02 v L Q2 0 g l OH\ mmfi EH E. o C. 2% 2 2 3 :ii NH mm 3 MWMTA mwy a E E ll N I m3 WITNESSES FF/Iffl.

Patented Nov. 23, R9 22.

UNHTEE STATES lAElbAM career cranes.

JOHN O. MORRIS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO PLANTERS srnmmme COMPANY, OFNEW YORK,

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TOBACCO-STRIPPI ING MACHINE.

Application filed September 25, 1915, Serial No. 52,570. Renewed February 5, 1919.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J 011K 0. Moms, a citizen of the United States, residing at 3429 14th St. N W., Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tobacco-Stripping Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for stripping tobacco leaves. The object therof is to produce an apparatus which shall automatically performthe operation of extracting the stems from the leaves, which operation is now ordinarily performed by hand or with only partial success by most of the machines in use at the present time. The above object is attained by a machine which is simple in construction, readily operated, and which performs its functions with the minimum amount of waste. a 7

Another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with the machine, an apparatus which will with certainty remove any tobacco leaves which may have passed through the machine without being stripped. Other objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out herelnafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of ele- 1 ments and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which-will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawings, in which is illustrated one of the various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Figure 1 is an end elevation, partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a planview thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 shows more clearly details of the apparatus which are concealed in ig, 1; T

and

Fig. 5

ratus.

Briefly described, the invention embodies shows another detail of the appa- Serial No. 275,200.

mechanism for feeding tobacco leaves into a position where the stems are seized by gripping mechanism, which draws the. leaves past a stripping mechanism, and, in the presentembodiment, upon which the blade of the leaves are retained, while the stem is withdrawn therefrom and carried away. After the stripping operation has been effected the blade of the leaf is automatically conveyed away, while any leaves that may have passed through the machine without being operated upon are carried away in another direction, to be deposited in a separate receptacle.

- Referring now to the drawings, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, I indicates collectively a. frame composed of upright and horizontal members carrying the driving mechanism for the entire machine,

as well as the means for gripping the stems of the leaves for withdrawing them, all of which will be described hereinafter. II indicates collectively a frame or table carrying means for feeding the leaves into position to be operated upon and for removing them after the stems have been stripped therefrom. It also carries means which co- .operate with the gripping means to effect the floor in anyv well-known manner. The

frames are also united by bolts 4, and the operative mechanism of each is connected by joints which may be easily taken apart. The

- object of making the machine in two sections instead of as a unitary frame renderscertain portions of the machine more accesslble for the purposes of change or repalr, while it also permits the substitution of a new section in case of breakage without rendering the other section useless while the first is being repaired. This construction also renders the machine. more convenient for transportation. Conside i g first the mechanism carried by the frame I, there is shown at 5 a driving pulley which ma be belted to any source of power. The pulley 5 may be operatively connected at will to the power shaft 6 by a clutch 7 controlled by a rod 8 connected to a handle 9 conveniently located on the front of the machine. The shaft 6 is mounted in bearings 10 on the frame I, and carries at the end opposite the driving pulley a pinion 11 engaging a spur-wheel 12 on the end of a.- shaft 13, likewise mounted in bearings on the frame I. The spur-wheel 12 meshes with a spur-Wheel 14 of equal size mounted on a shaft 15 in vertical alignment with the shaft 13. Shaft 15 is mounted in bearings extending above the upper surface of the frame I. Fixed upon each of the shafts 13 and 15 is a pair of equal sprocket-wheels, 16 indicating the pair on the lower shaft 13, while 17 indicates the pair on the upper shaft 15. At the forward side of the frame I is a pair of

shafts

18, 19, mounted in closely adjacent bearings on an extension 20 of said frame. Upon each of these shafts is a pair of small sprocket-wheels, 21 indicating the lower pair and 22 the upper pair. Each of these sprocket-wheels is connected to a corresponding one of the

larger sprocketwheels

16, 17 by a chain. The lower pair of chains is designated by 23, while the upper pair is designated by 24. The lower sprocket-chains carrya series of grippingbars 25, while the upper chains carry a corresponding series 26, these constituting the stem gripping means of the drawing mechanism. As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, the gripping-bars are arranged in pairs upon the chains. While in this figure two pairs are shown, it will be understood that any number of pairs may be used. The gripping-bars on the lower chains are arranged to co-operate with the ripping-bars on the upper chains immediate y after passing over the small sprocket-

wheels

21 and 22 as the chains travel in the direction indicated. The purpose of arranging the gripping-bars in pairs as shown is to provide for obtaining a sure and strong hold upon the stems of the tobacco leaves, as will more fully appear hereinafter, when the operation of the apparatus is considered.

bacco to pull them from the leaves.

The construction of the gripping-bars appears most clearly in Figs. 2 and 4, from which it will be seen that each one of them comprises elongated portions 27 having lugs 28 by which they may be bolted to the sprocket chains. The co-operating faces of the gripping-bars are shown in Fig. 4 in the position occupied when adjacent each other, at which time, in the operation of the apparatus, they engage the stems of the to- As the gripping-bars come over the small sprocketwheels21 and 22 the edges 29 thereof first engage the stems, after which the latter are pressed between the curved faces to lessen any tendency to draw away from the clamping edges 29.

To hold the gripping-bars in engagement while moving rearwardly, each of the lower sprocket-chains 23 passes over a guide 30, while each of the upper sprocket-chains passes underneath a guide 31. These guides are attached to plates 32 suspended from rods 33,which also serve to brace the top of the frame I.

For moving the apparatus carried upon the frame II, which will be hereinafter described, there is provided on the end of shaft 13 a mutilated spur-wheel 35 having teeth out on only a portion of its periphery. Meshing with this spur-wheel is a pinion 36 on a stub shaft 37 mounted at one end in a bearing on the frame and at the other end in a bearing on a bracket 38 attached to the frame. Bracket 38 has also a bearing 39 carrying a shaft 40. On shafts 37 and 40 are co-operating

members

41 and 42 of a bevel gear. The opposite end of the shaft 40 has attached thereto a universal joint connection 43, the other end of which is attached to the driving mechanism of the second frame II in a manner which will appear more clearly hereinafter. The universal joint connection 43 is constructed so as to be easily separated when the frames I and II are taken apart, as previously described. The shaft 13 has also mounted upon it a sprocket-wheel 44, the purpose of which is to drive, by means of a chain 45, a cleaning brush on the frame 11, as will be later described.

Passing now to a consideration of the frame II and the apparatus mounted thereon, it will be seen that this frame comprises vertical supporting members 50, of which three are shown in the present instance, though of courseany number may be used. At the top of these members, a pair of rods 51 pass through seats 52. On each of the rods 51 are pairs of upwardly extending brackets 53. The upper surface of each bracket is flat, and on those toward the left-hand end of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 3, are members 54 having bearings 55 for a shaft56. There are corresponding members 54 on the other brackets of the frame, but they have no bearings. Mounted on the tops of the members 54 is a shelf 57 which, in the present case, is shown constructed of wood, but it will be understood that it may be constructed of metal, if desired. Attached to the rear edge of theshelf and extending over a portion of its length is an upright gauge-board 59 for aligning the stems of the tobacco leaves, as will appear more clearly hereinafter.

The shaft 56 has attached thereto,between the bearings at its ends, a flanged drum 60. The rear end of the Shaft 56 is. attached to depending from the rods 51.}

1I1.F1g. 5,8, guide 80 is provided. This guide is mounted upon a.shaft 'SLeXtBndin'g between opposite a one end of the universal joint connection 43,

which, as previously described, is connectedto the driving mechanism of frame 1.

Near its center the shelf 57 is provided with anaperture 57 and upon the portions of the shelf at the ends of the aperture is a pair of brackets 61 each-having a slot therein through which a bolt 62 passes. This manner of mounting permits the brackets 61 to be adjusted longitudinally of the shelf. F or Convenience in making the adjustments bolts 63 attached to the members 54 at one end and passing through depending ends of the brackets 61 at the other end are provided. The brackets 61 have bearings in which is mounted a shaft 64, to which is attached a drum 65 in all respects similar tothe drum 60, and having its-top extending through the aperture 57'. Over the two drums passes a belt 66, which, for convenience, will be designated the stripping belt. The tension of t is belt may be adjusted by varying the position of the brackets 61, as just described. The belt 66 passes over the top surface of the shelf 57 in the upper portion of its travel.

The endless stripping belt may be of any suitable material, and attached or anchored to its outer surface near the rear edge there-- wiresor cords 71, below the outer ends of the teeth of the card-cloth, which, after passing off of the card-cloth, outside the path of travel of the teeth thereof, are led over pairs of pulleays 72 and 73, and, pairs'74e and 75 mounte on shafts carried brackets 76 The pulleys 72 at the; left-hand end of-the machine, as shown in Fig. 3, are mounted on screwthreaded brackets 77 attached to the memg bers 54. The'pulleys 73 near the center of the machine are mounted on a shaft carried between brackets 78 -mountedon the rods 51. The tension of the wires or cords 71 is main- "'tainedby, weights 79. hung thereon by pulleys. Since oneof the .wires or cords. 71

passes. through the groove 69 between-"the pins of the card-cloth, ae shown most clearly the two brackets 78 and has ajcertain amount ofplay with respect to said shaft, so that. it

'- will follow any variations inposition of the greevie 69 as the strip cf card clothipasses over the drum 65.

strippedleaf, but this The guide 89 is. held against the card-cloth by a weight 82, and at its upper end is provided with a slot through which the wire or cord 71 is guided. Instead of using continuous cords" or r wires passing over. pulleys, as described above, cords 70 or wires maybe laid. along the card-cloth and fixed at their ends to the shafts upon which pulleys 72 and 73 are mounted, or the ends may be retained in any other convenient manner. the clearer wires 71 lies partly within and partly without the field of teeth on the belt 66, so that as said belt moves around pulley 60 the stripping teeth move transversely past this wire and thereby clear the teeth of leaf to material.

A second belt 85, which for convenience will be designated as a feed, a throw-0E or separating belt and which is somewhat narrower than the stemming belt 66 and lies within the edges of the latter belt, in front of the card-cloth, is laid over the latter, but extends beyond the same at each end. Thus the teeth of the cardcloth are exposed in rear of the belt 85. over a roller 86 mounted on'a shaft 87 which extends between a pair of brackets having two

parts

88 and 89, similar to the

parts

53 and 54 of the other brackets except that an extension 90 is provided having bearings for a second shaft 91 with a drum 92 longitudinally adjustable thereon. At the other end of the machine the belt 85 passes over a drum 65"on a shaft 64 'adjustabl'y mounted upon the under side of the shelf 57 by means simi- 10o lar to that described in connection with the drum 65 and indicated at 61' 62 63. The belt 85 is driven, bymeans of a sprocket chain 85 connected between a sprocket wheel 56' on the shaft 56 and a sprocket wheel 87 on the shaft 87 of the drum 86 over which the belt passes.

Around the drum 92 is passed a third belt 93 much narrower than-either of the others and extending around a drum 94C, likewise 11 longitudinally adjustable upon a shaft 95,

which, at thefront edge of the machine, ,is supported in a bearing on a bracket 96 attached to the shelf 57. The other end of the shaft 95- is coupled .to a shaft of a part of .115

the machine now to be described. The inner,# or rear edgeof the belt 93 is within or spaced from the inner, orrear,'edge of the belt 85, so as not to interfere with the properly with unstripped or partially stripped leaves and discharge themapart from the stripped le'af..

Mounted at the rear edge of-the shelf 57 is a support 97 having' a bearing 98 at the up-. per end and a-bracket 99 extending from its side. Bracket 99 has a vertical front face 100 which'comes substantially over the rear edge of the stemming belt 66. Attached to the frontface 100 is one end of a member It will be perceived that one of 75 At one end it passes 90 belt 93 will cooperate 12o 101, which, together with the bracket 99 are each provided with a slot. These slots are at right angles to each other and at the point of intersection is a bolt 102 for clamping the member 101 in slightly different positions of adjustment with relation to bracket 99. To provide for a fine adjustment of the former with respect to the latter in a vertical direction, a screw 103 is threaded through a rearward extension at the top of member 101 and bears upon the upper edge of bracket 99.

The right-hand end of member 101 has a forked extension, the two arms of which are designated 104 and 105. Each arm is adjusting screw 108 in the proper direction.

In the bearing-98 previously referred to i is a shaft 110, on the rear end of which is a spur-gear 111 engaging a pinion 112, which in turn meshes with a pinion 113 of spurgear 114 fastened to the shaft 56. The lastnamed shaft is the one to which the universal joint 43 is attached and by which the moving parts of frame II are driven. The pinions 112 .and 113 are mounted in pairs of

arms

115 and 116, the common ends of which form bearings for the shaft of pinion '112, while the other ends thereof are formed as collars about the shafts 110 and 56, respectivel On the shaft 110 is also a pulley 117, whi e between the

arms

104 and 105 is a shaft 118 having a similar pulley 119 thereon. Over the

pulleys

117 and 119 is a leaf presser belt 120, illustrated as circular" in cross section and narrower than the card cloth 13 and guided in a grooved channel 121 at the bottom of member 101. The

pulleys

117 and 119 are so located as to bring the belt 120 in the lowermost portion of its travel directly over the channel 69 in the strip of card-cloth 68, and the belt covers more or lessof the card-cloth. The belt, in

passing through the groove 121, is held in proximity to the card-cloth throughout the entire length of its lower ply and, by means of the adjustments hereinbefore described, the distance of the belt from the tops of the pins of the card-cloth, as well as its parallelism with the same, may be accurately adjusted. During the stripping operation the belt 120 may engage the leaf below the ends of the pins of the card-cloth.

The shaft 95 of the drum 94, previously described, is connected to the shaft 118 by a coupling 122 which has-a slight amount of flexibility in order to take care of any variation in position of the shaft 118 with respect to the fixed bearing 96 at the other end of the shaft 95.

i The invention is not to be understood as limited to the use of a plain belt 120, as dey scribed, for a belt having a strip of cardcloth therein adapted-to co-operate in stripping the' leaves from the stems may be used.

In such an event the card-cloth may also be' provided with a channel and cords or wires similar to those used in connection with card-cloth 68, and for the same purpose ma be applied to the apparatus.

11 cross-bars of two members 50 of the frame II are brackets 125 with bearings, in I which is mounted a shaft 126. On the said shaft is a brush 127 having two sets of bristles which engage the card-cloth 68 as it travels underneath the shelf 57. 126 is rotated by the sprocket-wheel 128, over The shaft which the chain 45, previously referred to,

passes.

Laid close to the rearedge of the belt 85 is a wire or cord 129, which, at the left-hand end of the machine, passes over the drum 86' and then over a pulley 130 mounted on a shaft carried by brackets. 131, which may conveniently be formed as extensions of the brackets 88. This wire or cord then passes over the drum 65 and then over a third pulley similar to the pulley 73 and mounted on the same shaft on the brackets 78. The wire or cord is then ledunderneath the machine, over a pulley 132 on bracket 133, the proper tension of the wire or cord being maintained by a weight 134. As in the case of wires or cords 71, the wire or cord 129 in-' stead of being continuous may be fixed at its ends in-any appropriate manner, and its mode of operation is generally similar to that of the wires 71.

Mounted at the forward edge of the shelf 57 is a pair of brackets 140, and at the rear of the shelf is a pair of brackets 141. The

first named pair of brackets may be mounted upon the upper surface of the shelf, but the last named pair should be attached to the edge of the shelf so as not to interfere with the passage of tobacco leaves along theshelf as occurs in the operation of the apparatus. In bearings at the tops of the brackets, are shafts 142, each of which carries a flanged drum 143. A leaf presser belt 144 is passed over the drums and the height of the brackets is such that the lower portion of this belt comes in contact with the upper surface of belt 85. A chain' of rollers 145 suspended from arms 146 attached to colla-rs 147 loosely mounted upon the shafts 142 aids materially in insuring this contact. On the rear end of the right hand shaft 142 is a pulley 148, while on the rear end of the shaft 64', at the extreme left hand end of the ma- I practice, it may be Lesaeoa chine, is a pulley 149, which is connected to the pulley 148 by a cross belt 150. It will be seen that when the shaft 64' is rotated by the travel of the belt 85, the shaft 142 and drum 143 mounted thereon will be rotated in a direction to cause the belt 144 in the lower most portion of its travel to move with the portion of the belt 85, with which it is immediately in contact.

At the rear of the shelf 57 is also mounted a pair of brackets 151. These brackets should laso be attached to the edge of the shelf 57, so as not to interfere with the passage of tobacco leaves along the shelf, as ocours in the operation of the device. Mounted inthe upper ends of the brackets 151 is a shaft 152 carrying a brush 153 composed of two sections of bristles like the brush 127, previously described. The brush .153 is continuously driven by a sprocket chain154 passing over a sprocket wheel on the end ofthe shaft 150, and another the end of shaft 15. The purpose of the brush 153 is to remove a portion of the leaf from the stem in order that the latter may be left clean to be seized by the grippin bars to efiect the stripping operation.

sprocket wheel on cleaning or butting operation will be facilie tated if the shelf 57 is inclined or cut away immediately underneath the brush 153 so as to insure that the bristles of the brush shall pass on both sides of the stems of the leaves.

In the practical operation of the machine explained above it is started in operation by throwin in the clutch by the operating handle 9. ower is then transmitted from the driving pulley 5 to the spur-wheels 12 and 14, which rotate continuously during the operation of the machine. These spurwheels cause the respective pairs of

chains

23 and 24 to travel in the directions indi cated on Fig. 4, bringing the gripping-bars carried thereon in contact as they pass around the sprocket-

wheels

21 and 22. Owing to the mutilated gear 35, pinion 36 associated therewith will be caused to rotate intermittently, but during the times that it is in operation will transmit motion, through the bevel gears 41 and 42, and the universal joint connection 43 to the shaft 56 of frame II.

Shaft 56 in rotating will cause the stripping belt 66 to travel in the direction indicated by the arrows on Fig. 3. At the same time the separating belt 85 will also be caused to travel in a corresponding direction by the rotationof drum 86 by the sprocket chain 85. At the same time that the

belts

66 and 85 are being caused to travel, the belt 120 is driven by the train of

gears

114, 113, 112, 111, and the belt 144 is driven from the crossed belt 150.

The tobacco leaves to be operated upon are laid upon the separating belt 85 with their found that this stembutt ends aligned up against the gaugeboard 59, as shown in Fig. 2. During the periods when the belts 66, operation the leaves will be carried between the

belts

85 and 144, and when these belts are not in motion there will be some leaves firmly held between them at which time the brush 153 will remove portions of the leaves from their stems leaving the butts clean. Further movement of the belts will carry the leaves from under the belt 144, at the same time bringing the stems over the strip of card-cloth at the rear edge of belt 66.

In the present embodiment of the invention, the parts of the apparatus are so proportioned and the relation of the mutilated gear 35 to the travel of the gripping-bars such that the travel of all the belts always ceases as the leading ones of a co-operating pair of gripping-bars come over the sprocket-

wheels

21 and 22. At this time a number of leaves will have been conveyed into such a position that their stems will be caught by the leading gripping-bars and drawn rearwardly through the card-cloth 68, being pressed and 'kept in the field of pins thereof by the upper belt 120, which, as previously described, is held closely adjacent the upper surface of the card-cloth field by the grooved channel 121 at the bottom of member 101. During this operation the stems will be removed from the leaves. If, for any reason, the leading gripping-bars fail to engage the stems of any of the leaves, the following bars may do so, and in any event the following bars serve as an auxiliary means to assist in withdrawing the stems from the leaves. After the two pairs of gripping-bars have traveled rearwardly a distance greater than the length of" the longest stems, the mutilated gear'35 again comes into engagement with the pinion 36 and the belt 66 resumes its travel. The leaves which have been stripped will be more or less rolled up upon the card-cloth 68, and as the latter travels with the belt they will be carried toward the left-hand end of the machine, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. At the same time the belt 85 will bring a new supply of tobacco leaves in .a1position to have their stems caught by the second pair of co-operating gripping-bars as they come over the

sprockets

18 and 1,9.

It has been foundin practice that if no means are provided for clearing, or removing, the stripped leaves from the teeth of the card-cloth they may be carried along the same underneath the machine. For the purpose of facilitating their removal the two wires 71 have been provided. As the belt 66 and the card-cloth 68 carried thereon pass over the drum 60 the stripped portions of the leaves are carried out on the inclines of the wire 71 and drop off the same into a 85, and 144 are in proper receptacle. The advantage of pl-ac- &

ing one of the wires 71 in the channel 69 in the card-cloth will be apparent. It will come more directly under the un-stripped leaves as they pass over the drum 60, making their removal more certain.

To provide for removing any portions of the leaves which may adhere to the cardcloth 68 as the latter passes underneath the machine, the brush 127 is provided, as previously described and it is in continuous rotation, thereby effectively cleaning the card-cloth at all times.

There is a possiblity, in the operation of a machine of this type, that a few of the leaves may go through the machine without being stripped, in which case they should not be allowed to fall in with the stripped leaves. For the purpose of removing these unstripped leaves the belt 85 and mechanism associated therewith is provided. Since the unstripped leaves are lying almost entirely upon the surface of the belt 85 when the latter resumes travel after a stripping operation, they will be carried along with the same and over the drum 86 at the end thereof. The belt 85 also tends to prevent the buckling of the card-cloth under the influence of the drawing operation. The card-cloth belt being flexible, a pull on the teeth tends to buckle the cloth. The belt 85 assists in preventing this. To lessen the possibility of any of the unstripped leaves being drawn off the belt 85 by the card-cloth 68 engaging a portion thereof, there is provided the upper belt 93, which is preferably so adjusted with respect to the belt 85 that it does not quite engage the same at the right-hand end but does toward the left-hand end, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. If it engaged the belt 85 at the right-hand end there would be danger that it might hold the tips of the leaves sufficiently to cause them to be broken away when the gripping-bars withdrew the stems. By having the belt 93 slightly raised at its right-hand end the leaves are not pressed closely between it and the belt 85 until after they have passed beyond the stripping position. As the unstripped leaves pass over the drum 86 at the extreme left-hand end of the machine they are depositied in a separate receptacle and may be passed through the machine again.

It has also been found advantageous to place along the edge of the belt 85 a wire 129, as previously described. This wire performs somewhat the same function, so far as the unstripped leaves and any stripped leaf which lies thereon are concerned, as do the wires 71 with respect .to the stripped leaves. It may be found in practice, however, that the extra belt 93 alone is sufiicient to remove the unstripped leaves with certainty, or the wire 129 may be used without the belt 93. The showing of these two means for assisting the removal of the unstripped leaves is for the purpose of convenience, and it will be understood that either one or both may be used, as desired.

As has been previously stated, the

wires

71 and 129 are maintained under tension by weights .79 and 134:, respectively. It will be found, in the practical operation of the machine, that these wires partake of the motion of the belts with which they are closely in contact. As previously explained, the wires may be fastened at their ends, in which case the belts will move with no corresponding motion of the wires. The invention is therefore not to be limited to either fixed or movable wires, but comprehends the use of both forms, as desired.

The various adjustments that may be found necessary in the course of the'operation of the device have been described in connection with the explanation of the construction thereof, and it is believed unnecessary to review the same again. It may be stated, however, that while the forward support 96 of the shaft 95 has been shown fixed, because ordinarily the displacement of the other end of the shaft, caused by slight alteration of the position of the shaft 119, to which it is coupled, will not be sufficient to produce an appreciable effect upon the position of the drum 94, it will be understood that the bearing 96 may be made adjustable, if desired.

It will be noted that in operation the unstemmed tobacco leaves are placed on the feed belt 85 and thereby are fed to stripping position between the lower stripping device, or card cloth 68, on the belt 66, and the upper device or belt 120, which coacts with the lower card cloth and, when the upper belt is of the card cloth type previously mentioned, the upper and lower devices form a pair of such devices which coact to present a substantially continuous stripping medium which travels alongside the feed belt 85 and at the same speed as the latter. The grippers 25 and 26 seize the stems of the tobacco leaves and draw them through this stripping mechanism, in a direction different from that in which the feed belt 85 travels, as will be understood. As the stripping mechanism 0 erates it is wholly or partially cleared of t e stripped leaf or blades, by the wires Z1, the wires coacting to lift the stripped leaf from the card cloth as soon as the stripping operation is completed. The

belts

66 and 120 are in parallel planes, as distinct from planes inclined to each other, so that co-operation with the leaves is better efi'ected, and the leaves do not tend to slide from the stripping medium.

It will therefore be seen that there is provided apparatus well adapted to accomv structurally considered, the apparatus is of the greatest possible simplicity which the nature thereof will permit, and is well adapted to be made at a minimum of cost' and to be readily assembled into a neat and compact arrangement for accomplishing the purposes int-ended.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

,Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a belt provided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said means being formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating belt opposite said channel for pressing the leaves upon said leaf-stripping means, means to engage the stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, and means associated with said leaf-stripping means for removing the leaves from the same after the stems have been withdrawn.

2. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a belt provided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said means being formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating belt for pressing the leaves upon said leafstripping means, means to engage the stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, and means associated .With said leaf-stripping means and passing through the channel therein for-removing said leaves after the I stems have been withdrawn.

3. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a belt provided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said means being formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating belt for pressing the leaves upon said leafstripping means, means to engage the stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, and wires or cords associated with said leafstripping means for removing the leaves from the same after the stems have been withdrawn.

4. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a belt provided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said means being formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operat-ing belt for pressing the leaves upon said leafstripping means, means to engage the stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, and a wire or cord associated with said leaf-strip ping means and passing through the channel therein for removing said leaves after the stems have been withdrawn.

5. A tobacco stripping machine compris mg, in combination, a belt provided With leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said means being formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating belt for pressing the leaves upon said leafstripping means, means to engage the stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, a wire or cord associated with said leaf-stripping means and passing through the channel therein for removing said leaves after the stems have been withdrawn, and guiding means for said wire.

6. A tobacco stripping machine compris ing, in combination, a belt provided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said means being formed wit-h a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating belt for pressing the leaves upon said leaf-stripping means, means to engage the stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, and a plurality of means associated with said leaf-stripping means for removing the stemmed leaves therefrom, one of said means being placed in the channel of said leaf-stripping means and the other of said means being placed at the outer edges of said leaf-stripping means.

7. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a belt provided with leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, said means being formed with a longitudinal channel therein, a co-operating belt for pressing the leaves upon said leaf-stripping means, means to engage the stems of the leaves to withdraw the same, a plurality of means associated with said leaf-stripping means for removing the stemmed leaves therefrom, one of said means being placed in the channel of said leafstripping means and the other of said means being placed adjacent the outer edge of said leaf-stripping means, and guiding means for said first-named removing means.

8. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a belt having leaf-stripping means adjacent theedge thereof, stemgripping means traveling at right angles to said belt to seize the stems and draw them from said leaves, and a second belt operatively associated with said first-named belt to separate any unstemmed leaves from those that have been properly stemmed. I

9. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a 'belt for conveying tobacco leaves into operating positions, a second belt operatively related to said first belt, means for cleaning the stems of said leaves while the latter are held between said first and second belts, a third belt, leafstripping means secured to said third belt, stem-gripping means for drawing said leaves over said stripping means, means operatively related to said first belt for removing any leaves which have not been properly stripped and means for causing said gripping means to move continuously and all of said belts to move intermittently and in timed relation with said grippingbars.

10. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, means for conveying tobacco leaves into operating position, means to strip said leaves, stem-gripping means traveling at right angles to the direction of movement of said stripping means and adapted to draw said leaves thereover, means comprising a second belt operatively related to said first means to remove any leaves which have not been properly stripped, and other means also associated with said first means for assisting in the last-named operation.

11. A tobacco stripping machine compnsing, in combination,. a leaf-conveying beltand a separate leaf-stripping belt, drums supporting said belts, the shafts of said drums being substantially horizontal, a frame extending at right angles to said belts, two pairs of small sprocket wheels supported on said frame adjacent corresponding edges of said belts, two pairs of relatively large sprocket wheels supported on said frame, two pairs of chains mounted on said wheels, means to drive said sprocket wheels and chains continuously, a lurality of pairs of gripping-bars mounte on each pair of chains, said gripping-bars having co-operating faces adapted to be brought into engagement as said bars travel rearwardly over said small sprocket wheels, and means associated with said driving means for causing an intermittent operation of said belts.

12. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, a belt having leaf-stripping means adjacent one edge thereof, a second belt adapted to co-operate with said leaf-stripping means, a third belt operatively related to said first-named belt for removing leaves which have failed to be operated upon, and stem-gripping means traveling at right angles to said belts for drawing the stem over said leaf-stripping means and between said first and second-named belts.

13. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, an intermittently operated conveying belt, a second belt operatively related to said first belt, means for pressing a portion of said second belt upon said conveying belt to hold tobacco leaves therebetween, means for cleaning the stems of said leaves while the same are being held, and means for stripping the leaves after the same have been conveyed from between said belts by a subsequent operation of said conveyer belt.

14. In an apparatus of the character dethe pins thereof, stem scribed, in combination, a belt, leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem gripping means, means adapted to effect.

relative movement between said stripping and said gripping means, butting means, and means adapted to feed leaves first to the butting means and subsequently to the leaf stripping means.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt, leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem gripping means, means adapted to effect relative movement between said stripping and said gripping means, butting means, and means adapted to feed leaves first to the butting means and subsequently to the leaf stripping means, comprising a plurality of belts between which the leaves are held during the butting operation. I,

16. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt, leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem gripping means,,means adapted to effect relative movement between said stripping and said grippingmeans, continuously rotating butting means, and means adapted to feed leaves first to the butting means and subsequently to the leaf stripping means.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt, leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem gripping means, means adapted to effect relative movement between said stripping and said gripping means, continuously rotating butting means and means adapted to feed leaves first to the butting means and subse-' quently to the leaf stripping means, comprising a plurality of belts between which the leaves are held during the butting operation.

18. In an apparatus of the character dcscribed, in combination, a belt, card-cloth leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem gripping means, means 'ada ted to effect relative movement between sai stripping and said gripping means, and a'belt I .the pins thereof, stem gripping means,

means adapted to effect relative movement between said stripping and said, gripping means, and a belt ada ted to lie in said channel at the leaf stripping position.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a belt, card-cloth leaf stripping means associated with said belt, having alongitudinal channel between lpplng means, means adapted to effect re ative movement aeaeoe between said stripping and said gripping means, and a belt adapted to lie in said channel at the leaf stripping position, and closely'adjacent said first mentioned belt.

21. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt, leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem gripping means, means adapted to effect intermittent relative movement between said stripping and said gripping means in timed relation and a second belt in superposed contiguous relation to said first mentioned belt adapted to convey leaves to said leaf stripping means.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt, card-cloth leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem gripping means, means adapted to efi'ect relative movement between said stripping and said gripping means and a wire lying in the card-cloth and extending beyond the extreme travel of the card-cloth, adapted to cause removal of the stripped leaf from said cloth.

23. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt, card-cloth leaf stripping means associated with said belt, having a longitudinal channel, stem gripping means, means adapted to eifect relative movement between said stripping and said gripping means and wires, one of which lies in the card-cloth and extends beyond the extreme travel of the card-cloth adapted to cause removal of the stripped leaf from said cloth, one wire lying in said channel.

24. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a belt, card-cloth leaf stripping means associated with said belt, stem gripping means, means adapted to effect relative movement between said stripping and said gripping means and a wire lying in the card-cloth and extending beyond the extreme travel of the card-cloth, adapted to cause removal of the stripped leaf from said cloth, and a rotary brush adapted to'contact said cloth and remove stripped leaf therefrom.

25. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a comb-belt intermittently movable in an endless path, a shelf over which said belt moves and a second movable endless belt lying over said combbelt and extending beyond said comb-belt at each end. I

26. linen apparatus of the character dein combination a comb-belt intermittently movable in an endless path, a shelf over whichsaid belt moves and a second movable endless belt lying over said combbelt and extending beyond said comb-belt at each end, said second belt lying within the edges of said comb-belt.

27. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination a comb-belt intermittently movable in an endless path, a shelf over which said belt moves, a second movable endless belt lying over said comb-belt and extending beyond said comb-belt at each end, and a third movable endless belt lying over said second belt, and extending from a point opposite said comb-belt to a point to one side of the same.

28. A tobacco stripping machine compris ing, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teeth associated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to operate said belt, and a second belt extending beyond one end of the first mentioned belt along side said teeth, adapted to feed leaves thereto.

29. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teeth associated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to operate said belt, and a second belt extending beyond each end of the first mentioned belt alongside said teeth adapted to feed leaves thereto and therefrom.

30. A tobacco stripping machine "compris ing, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teeth associated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to operate said belt, and a second belt extending beyond each end of the first mentioned belt adapted to feed leaves thereto. and therefrom, said second mentioned belt being arranged to expose said teeth to the leaves.

31. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teeth associated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to intermittently operatesaid belt, and a second belt extending beyond each end of the first mentioned belt adapted to feed leaves thereto and therefrom, a ply' of said second mentioned belt being above said first mentioned belt, and a third belt above said ply adapted to cooperate with the nnstripped leaf and discharge the same apart from the stripped leaf.

32. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teeth associated therewith, means adapted to cooperateto hold the leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to intermittently operate said belt, and a second belt extending beyond each end of the first mentioned belt adapted to feed leaves thereto and therefrom, a ply of said second mentioned belt being above said first mentioned belt, and a third belt above said ply adapted to cooperate with the unstripped' leaf and discharge the same apart from the stripped leaf, said third belt being slightly spaced from said ply opposite the stripplng position of the leaves.

33. A tobacco stripping machinecomprising, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teeth associated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to intermittently operate said belt, a second belt extending beyond each end of the first mentioned belt adapted to feed leaves thereto and therefrom, a ply of said second mentioned belt being above said first mentioned belt, and a third belt above said ply adapted to cooperate with the unstripped leaf and discharge the same apart from the stripped leaf, the inner edge of said third belt being within the inner edge of said second mentioned belt.

34:. A tobacco stripping machine. comprising, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf stripping teeth associated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to intermittently operate said belt, and a rotary brush adapted to clear leaf left in said teeth from the stripping operation.

35. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teeth associated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to intermittently operate said belt, a second belt extending beyond each end of the first mentioned belt adapted to feed leaves thereto and there from, and a wire disposed to lift from said second mentioned belt leaf remaining thereon from the stripping operation.

36. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teeth associated therewith, means; adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to intermittently operate said belt, a second belt extending beyond one end of the first mentioned belt, adapted to feed leaves thereto, and a shelf adapted to support substantially the full width of said, belts.

37. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teeth associated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to intermittently operate said belt, a second belt extending beyond one end of the first mentioned belt, adapted to feed leaves thereto,a butting device. alongside said second mentioned belt, and means adapted to cooperate with said second mentioned belt to hold the leaves in position to be operated on by said butting device.

38; A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teeth associated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to intermittently operate said belt, a second belt, extending beyond one end of the first mentioned belt, adapted to feed leaves thereto, a rotatable continuously driven butting device alongside said second mentioned belt, and means adapted to cooperate with said second mentioned belt to hold the leaves in position to be operated on by said butting'device.

39. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, leaf-stripping means comprising a belt having leaf-stripping teeth associated therewith, means adapted to cooperate to hold the. leaves in engagement with said teeth during the stripping operation, means adapted to intermittently operate said belt, a second belt extending beyond one end of the first mentioned belt, adapted to feed leaves thereto, a butting device alongside said second mentioned belt,

and a belt adapted to cooperate with said second mentioned belt to; hold the leaves in position to be operated on by said butting device.

40. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a movable field of stripping teeth, and a clearer wire adjacent said field so disposed that said teeth transversely move past said wire for a portion of their travel.

41. In amachine of thecharacter described, in combination, a movable field of stripping teeth, and a clearer wire lying partly in said field below the outer ends of said teeth and partly outside the path of travel of said teeth.

42. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a movable field of stripping teeth, a clearer wire lying partly in said field below the outer ends of said teeth and partly outside the path of travel ofsaid teeth, and a second clearer wire in front of said field and disposed so that said teeth move transversely past the same for a portion of their travel.

43. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a field of stripping Gil the teeth and extending outside the path of movement thereof.

, 44. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a field of stripping teeth movable in an endless path, means cooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth, a wire lying longitudinally in said field below the outer ends of the teeth I and extending outside the path of movement thereof, and a second wire lying longitudinally at the side of said field and extending outside the path of movement thereof.

45. A tobacco stripping machine com-prising, in combination, an endless belt having a field of stripping teeth adjacent one edge, means cooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth, and a second endless feed belt one ply of which lies on' said first mentioned belt in front of said field, said second belt extending beyond the first belt at each end of the-latter.

46. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, an endless belt having a field of stripping teeth adjacent one edge, a

wire lying longitudinally in said field below the outer ends of said teeth and extending outside the path of movement of said teeth, means cooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth, and a second endless feed belt lying alongside said field.

47. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination, an endless belt having a field of stripping teeth adjacent one edge, a wire lying longitudinally in said field below the outer ends of said teeth and extending outside the path of movement of said teeth, means cooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth, and a second endless feed belt lying alongside said field on said first-mentioned belt.

48. In a mechanism of the character de-- chored to said material, and means adapted to cooperate with said belt in front of said field tending to restrain buckling of said belt under the force applied to said teeth by the operation of drawing.

49. In a mechanism of the character described, in combination, stripping mechanism and drawing mechanism. the former comprising an endless belt of flexible material having a field of stripping teeth anchored to said material, and means comprising a second belt lying on said first-mentioned belt in front of said field tending to restrain buckling of said belt under the force applied to said teeth by the operation of drawing.

50. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of mechanism presenting a pair of superposed co acting substantially. continuous stripping mediums interlocked and traveling in the same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, and cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through the stripping mediums.

51. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position of mechanism resenting a substantially continuous stripplng medium travelling in the same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, and cooperating means for seizing the leaf stems and drawing them through the stripping medium.

52. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with a belt for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of mechanism presenting a substantially continuous stripping medium travelling alongside and in the same direction as the feed belt at stripping position, and cooperating ineans for seizing the leaf stems and drawing them through the stripping medium.

53. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with a pair of superposed belts the upper belt being shorter than the lower for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position between the belts, of mechanism presenting a. substantially continuous stripping medium travelling alongslde and in the same direction as the feed belts at stripping position, and cooperating means for seizing the leaf stems and drawing them through the stripping medium.

54. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair of co-acting devices presenting a substantially continuous stripping medium travelling alongside and in the same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, and cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through the stripping devices. 55. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair of superposed coacting devices presentinga substantially continuous stripping medium travelling alongside and in the same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, and cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through the stripping devices.

56. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair of devices presenting a pair of coacting substantially continuous stripping mediums travelling alongside and inthe same direction as the feeding means at stripping posi- T tion,

and cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through the stripping mediums.

57. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of mechanism presenting a substantially continuous stripping, medium travelling alongside and in the same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, and cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through the stripping mechanism in a direction different from that in which the feeding means travels.

58. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of machanism presenting a substantially continuous stripping medium travelling alongside and in the same direction and at substantially the same speed as the feeding means at stripping position, and cooperating means for seizing the leaf stems and drawing them through the stripping medium.

59. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to leaf stripping position, of mechanism presenting a substantially continuous stripping medium travelling alongside and in the same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, cooperating means for seizing the leaf stems and drawing them through the stripping medium, and means for operating said mechanism to clear the stripping medium of strip.

60. In a tobacco stemming machine, combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to leaf stripping position, of mechanism presenting a substantially continuous stripping medium travelling alongside and in the same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, cooperating means for 1 seizing the leaf stems and drawing them through the stripping medium, and means for operating said mechanism to clear the stripping medium of strip arranged to be brought into action immediately after the stripping operation is completed.

61. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to leaf stripping position, of mechanism presenting a substantially continuous stripping medium travelling alongside and in the same direction and at substantially the same speed as the feeding means at stripping position, cooperating means for seizing the leaf stems and drawing them through the stripping medium, and means cooperative with the feeding means for clearing the stripping medium of strip.

62. In a tobacco stemming machine, the

, combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of mechanism presenting a substantially continuous strlpping medium travelling in the same dithe I cooperating means for seizing the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of mechanism presenting a substantially continuous stripping medium traveling in the same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, cooperating means for seizing the leaf stems and drawing them through the stripping medium, a rotary butting brush operative alongside said feed means in advance of said stripping medium, a presser belt adapted to cooperate and move with said feed means to hold the leaves for action of said brush, and a belt adapted to cooperate with said feeding means and to seperate unstemmed leaf from stemmed leaf.

6ei. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair of superposed coacting devices presenting a substantially continuous stripping medium traveling alongside and in the same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through the stripping devices, and a belt adapted to cooperate with said feeding means and to separate unstemmed leaf from stemmed leaf.

65. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair of superposed coacting belts presenting a substantially continuous stripping medium in parallel planes alongside and traveling in the same direction as the feed ng means at stripping position, and cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through the stripping devices.

66. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair of superposed coacting belts presenting a substantially continuous stripping medium in parallel planes alongside and traveling in the same direction as t e feeding means at stripping position, cooperat ng means for seizing the stems and drawing them through the Stripping devices, and a belt adapted to cooperate with said feeding means and to separate unstemmed leaf from stemmed leaf.

67. In a tobacco stemmin combination with means for feeding tobacco leavesto stem stripping position, of a pair of devices presenting a pair of coacting submachine, the.

travelling in the same direction as the feed ing means at stripping position, cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through the stripping mediums, and a wire at the stripping position adapted to clear the stripping mediums of stripped leaf.

68. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding tobacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair of devices presenting a pair of coacting substantially continuous stripping mediums travelling in the same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through the stripping mediums, and a wire at the stripping position adapted to clear the stripping mediums of stripped leaf, said wire lying in the stripping medium.

69. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding to bacco leaves to stem stripping position, of a pair of devices presentinga pair of coacting substantially continuous stripping me diums in parallel planes and traveling in the same direction as the feeding means at stripping position, cooperating means for seizing the stems and drawing them through the stripping mediums, .and a wire at the stripping position adapted to clear the stripping medium of stripped leaf.

70. In a tobacco stemming machine, the combination with means for feeding to bacco leaves to stem stripping position, of

strippin position adapted to clear the stripping me ium of stripped leaf.

71. A tobacco stripping machine compris ing, in combination a movable field of stripping teeth, means cooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth and a separate movable leaf carrying belt lying close alongside said field to support andv carry the blades.

72. A tobacco stripping machine comprising, in combination a movable field of stripping teeth, means cooperative to press the leaf into engagement with said teeth, and a separate movable leaf carrying belt lying close alongside said field and extending throughout the length of the strippmg field to support and carry the unstripped leaf towards stripping position and the stripped blades from stripping position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN O. MORRIS.

Witnesses:

AUGUSTUS W. KELLEY, Jr., WALTER J. GILL, Jr.