WO2002007543A1 - Separateur de limbe de feuilles - Google Patents

Separateur de limbe de feuilles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2002007543A1
WO2002007543A1 PCT/GB2000/002860 GB0002860W WO0207543A1 WO 2002007543 A1 WO2002007543 A1 WO 2002007543A1 GB 0002860 W GB0002860 W GB 0002860W WO 0207543 A1 WO0207543 A1 WO 0207543A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
leaves
leaf
teeth
belt
conveyor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2000/002860
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Shmuel Levy
Original Assignee
Dickinson Legg Limited
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Dickinson Legg Limited filed Critical Dickinson Legg Limited
Priority to PCT/GB2000/002860 priority Critical patent/WO2002007543A1/fr
Priority to AU2000261716A priority patent/AU2000261716A1/en
Publication of WO2002007543A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002007543A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
    • A24B5/00—Stripping tobacco; Treatment of stems or ribs
    • A24B5/06—Stripping tobacco; Treatment of stems or ribs by stripping leaf-parts from the stem

Definitions

  • the present invention seeks to provide apparatus for separating mechanically, the lamina from the stem in a continuous motion, whilst maximising the fragment sizes of the separated materials by means of a controlled, rather than a random, tearing action.
  • the larger sizes of lamina particles which result will have a greater commercial value, and the overall process yield will be improved.
  • it is normal to achieve 40 - 50% of lamina product in the size range above 1inch, as defined by sieving tests.
  • By applying the techniques described in the present invention it is possible to achieve in excess of 70 - 80% of product in the size range above 1 inch.
  • the functions which need to be performed in order to process the leaf material in this way are carried out by subsystems or mechanical assemblies which convey, restrain and process the leaf through the system.
  • the leaf material may be fed to the process in the form of individual leaves, or as 'tied hands'.
  • a 'tied hand' consists of a bundle of several leaves oriented in the same direction and held together by a tie leaf which is wrapped and knotted around the base of the bundle.
  • the present invention provides apparatus for separating the lamina portion of a leaf or bundle of leaves from the stem or mid-rib comprising: conveyor means including means for gripping the stem or mid-rib of the leaf or bundle so as to transport it in a first direction, and stripping means, including means for engaging the lamina and moving it in a second direction at an angle to the first direction so as to separate it from the stem.
  • the conveyor means apparatus comprises a first flexible belt onto which the leaf or leaves are fed, a second flexible belt or chain which is arranged above the first belt so as to engage the leaves, and means for applying pressure to the second belt so as to grip the leaves and to transport them with the major portion of the leaves projecting from the side of the conveyor means for engagement by the stripping means.
  • the stripping means comprises a series of pairs of synchronised teeth carried on a pair of mutually opposed upper and lower drive chains, the path of travel of the drive chains being arranged at an acute angle to the path of the conveyor means, whereby corresponding pairs of teeth are brought into convergence at a predetermined position of travel of the leaves along the conveyor means.
  • Figure 1 is a front elevation of a lamina separating apparatus according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a plan view
  • Figure 3 is an end elevation
  • Figure 4 is a partial perspective view
  • Figures 5, 6 and 7 are schematic and views of a pressurizing arrangement
  • Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 2 showing a leaf engaged for stripping
  • Figure 9 is an enlarged partial view of part of the arrangement of Figure 8.
  • Figure 10 shows a leaf bundle in the process of stripping
  • Figure 1 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line B-B of figure 2 showing a leaf after stripping
  • Figure 12 is a perspective view of a set of leaf-agitating rollers.
  • Figure 13 is an enlarged view of the tooth guide-chain system.
  • Figs 1 , 2 and 3 show the front, plan and end elevations of the machine.
  • the main elements are the hold-down system 12, the de-sanding rolls 16, the stripping system 18, and product take off conveyors 21-24.
  • Fig.4 shows leaves fed individually or in the form of 'tied hands' onto an endless belt 25 which transports them in a direction perpendicular to the stems or mid-ribs of the leaves, along the axis of the machine.
  • An endless chain or flexible belt 50 is positioned above the belt 25 and is driven at the same speed as belt 25, so that the leaves are trapped between this chain 50 and the conveyor 25.
  • a series of pivoted fingers 30 provided with pads of low friction material at their ends 32 apply pressure to the chain 50 via a strip of flexible low friction material 35. The pressure applied to the chain results from the weight of each finger combined with the force from a pressurised flexible tube 20, which is located in a fixed position above the fingers 30 and extends in the direction of the belts.
  • the pressure applied to the fingers 30, and hence the force between the chain 50 and the conveyor 25, can be varied by adjusting the pressure of the compressed air or other fluid contained within the flexible tube 20.
  • the leaves are thus gripped positively between the chain 50 and the conveyor 25, so that they are driven through the rest of the process without slippage, and transverse movement is positively resisted.
  • the force applied to the leaves by this hold-down system can be adjusted so that it is sufficient to grip the leaves without damaging them due to excessive crushing. Because they are free to pivot on a horizontal axis 34, the hold-down fingers can accommodate varying thickness of product.
  • the flexible pressurised tube 20 acts on each finger with a constant force which is independent of the height of each finger. Thus the fingers maintain a positive grip at all points along the leaf's passage through the machine.
  • de-sanding rollers consist of cylinders 60, supported on rotating shafts 62, and are provided with projections 61 which agitate the leaves mechanically, and induce sand and other foreign particulate matter to be separated from the surfaces of the leaves.
  • the de-sanding rollers also perform a loosening function and separate the tightly compressed leaves where they were previously tied together.
  • the upper and lower sets of teeth, 15 and 17 are carried on endless chains which are guided on tracks 14 and 18 extending at an acute angle to the machine axis ( Figure 2).
  • the speed of the hold-down conveyor 25 and chain 50 is equal to the velocity component of the teeth along the machine axis.
  • the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are pierced by the teeth 15 and 17 simultaneously ( Figure 8).
  • the position and height of the opening between the upper and lower sets of teeth is adjustable to accommodate different types of leaf product.
  • the upper tooth guidance assembly (14) is also suspended so that it is free to move upwards if a solid piece of foreign material is engaged by the system.
  • the teeth mate with each other and close together in the vertical plane, piercing through and trapping the lamina portion of the leaves (Figure 8), while the stems or midribs lie in the gaps formed between the upper and lower sets of teeth. Thus the stems or mid-ribs are neither cut nor pierced by the teeth. Because the teeth are driven along the track 14 at an angle to the machine axis, they have a component of velocity perpendicular to the machine axis, and therefore travel away from the ends of the leaves which are gripped by the hold-down system 12 tearing the lamina 42a away as shown in Figure 10.
  • the upper and lower teeth separate from each other in a vertical direction, causing them to release the stems, lamina and remaining portions of leaf which are removed from the teeth by the combined action of gravity and mechanical stripping guides.
  • Chutes and conveyors transport these product components away for subsequent processing. This will typically include a cutting process to separate the lamina tip from the stripped portion of stem, and an air classification system to separate the stripped lamina from portions of leaf which still contain some stem.

Abstract

L"invention concerne un séparateur de limbe de feuille ou de faisceau de feuilles, depuis la tige ou à mi-côte, qui comprend un transporteur à rampes supérieure (50) et inférieure (25) enserrant les feuilles, et un outil de d"effeuillage comprenant des paires de dents opposées (15, 17) qui reposent sur une paire de chaînes d"entraînement en position d"angle aigu par rapport au transporteur. Les chaînes sont disposées de sorte que les paires de dents opposées attrapent les feuilles ou les faisceaux de feuilles qui se présentent successivement sur le transporteur, avant de s"éloigner du transporteur pour déchirer ces feuilles.
PCT/GB2000/002860 2000-07-25 2000-07-25 Separateur de limbe de feuilles WO2002007543A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/GB2000/002860 WO2002007543A1 (fr) 2000-07-25 2000-07-25 Separateur de limbe de feuilles
AU2000261716A AU2000261716A1 (en) 2000-07-25 2000-07-25 Lamina separator

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/GB2000/002860 WO2002007543A1 (fr) 2000-07-25 2000-07-25 Separateur de limbe de feuilles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002007543A1 true WO2002007543A1 (fr) 2002-01-31

Family

ID=9885163

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2000/002860 WO2002007543A1 (fr) 2000-07-25 2000-07-25 Separateur de limbe de feuilles

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2000261716A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002007543A1 (fr)

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006518675A (ja) * 2003-02-24 2006-08-17 コリウム インターナショナル， インコーポレイテッド 貫通孔を備えた複数のマイクロエレメントを有するマイクロ構造物の製造方法
US8911749B2 (en) 2007-04-16 2014-12-16 Corium International, Inc. Vaccine delivery via microneedle arrays
US9114238B2 (en) 2007-04-16 2015-08-25 Corium International, Inc. Solvent-cast microprotrusion arrays containing active ingredient
US9687641B2 (en) 2010-05-04 2017-06-27 Corium International, Inc. Method and device for transdermal delivery of parathyroid hormone using a microprojection array
US9962534B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-05-08 Corium International, Inc. Microarray for delivery of therapeutic agent, methods of use, and methods of making
US10195409B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-02-05 Corium International, Inc. Multiple impact microprojection applicators and methods of use
US10245422B2 (en) 2013-03-12 2019-04-02 Corium International, Inc. Microprojection applicators and methods of use
US10384045B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-08-20 Corium, Inc. Microarray with polymer-free microstructures, methods of making, and methods of use
US10384046B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-08-20 Corium, Inc. Microarray for delivery of therapeutic agent and methods of use
US10624843B2 (en) 2014-09-04 2020-04-21 Corium, Inc. Microstructure array, methods of making, and methods of use
US10857093B2 (en) 2015-06-29 2020-12-08 Corium, Inc. Microarray for delivery of therapeutic agent, methods of use, and methods of making
US11052231B2 (en) 2012-12-21 2021-07-06 Corium, Inc. Microarray for delivery of therapeutic agent and methods of use

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE100286C (fr) *
US1632177A (en) * 1925-04-20 1927-06-14 American Tobacco Co Tobacco-stripping machine
US2114457A (en) * 1934-11-16 1938-04-19 American Tobacco Co Stemming machine

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE100286C (fr) *
US1632177A (en) * 1925-04-20 1927-06-14 American Tobacco Co Tobacco-stripping machine
US2114457A (en) * 1934-11-16 1938-04-19 American Tobacco Co Stemming machine

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4787738B2 (ja) * 2003-02-24 2011-10-05 コリウム インターナショナル， インコーポレイテッド 貫通孔を備えた複数のマイクロエレメントを有するマイクロ構造物の製造方法
JP2006518675A (ja) * 2003-02-24 2006-08-17 コリウム インターナショナル， インコーポレイテッド 貫通孔を備えた複数のマイクロエレメントを有するマイクロ構造物の製造方法
US8911749B2 (en) 2007-04-16 2014-12-16 Corium International, Inc. Vaccine delivery via microneedle arrays
US9114238B2 (en) 2007-04-16 2015-08-25 Corium International, Inc. Solvent-cast microprotrusion arrays containing active ingredient
US9452280B2 (en) 2007-04-16 2016-09-27 Corium International, Inc. Solvent-cast microprotrusion arrays containing active ingredient
US9498524B2 (en) 2007-04-16 2016-11-22 Corium International, Inc. Method of vaccine delivery via microneedle arrays
US10238848B2 (en) 2007-04-16 2019-03-26 Corium International, Inc. Solvent-cast microprotrusion arrays containing active ingredient
US9687641B2 (en) 2010-05-04 2017-06-27 Corium International, Inc. Method and device for transdermal delivery of parathyroid hormone using a microprojection array
US11419816B2 (en) 2010-05-04 2022-08-23 Corium, Inc. Method and device for transdermal delivery of parathyroid hormone using a microprojection array
US11052231B2 (en) 2012-12-21 2021-07-06 Corium, Inc. Microarray for delivery of therapeutic agent and methods of use
US10245422B2 (en) 2013-03-12 2019-04-02 Corium International, Inc. Microprojection applicators and methods of use
US11110259B2 (en) 2013-03-12 2021-09-07 Corium, Inc. Microprojection applicators and methods of use
US10195409B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-02-05 Corium International, Inc. Multiple impact microprojection applicators and methods of use
US10384046B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-08-20 Corium, Inc. Microarray for delivery of therapeutic agent and methods of use
US10384045B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2019-08-20 Corium, Inc. Microarray with polymer-free microstructures, methods of making, and methods of use
US9962534B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2018-05-08 Corium International, Inc. Microarray for delivery of therapeutic agent, methods of use, and methods of making
US11565097B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2023-01-31 Corium Pharma Solutions, Inc. Microarray for delivery of therapeutic agent and methods of use
US10624843B2 (en) 2014-09-04 2020-04-21 Corium, Inc. Microstructure array, methods of making, and methods of use
US10857093B2 (en) 2015-06-29 2020-12-08 Corium, Inc. Microarray for delivery of therapeutic agent, methods of use, and methods of making

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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