Abstract: A lamina/air separator for use atop apparatus for removing tobacco lamina from a lamina/stem mixture includes a horizontally disposed perforated cylindrical drum rotatively secured within a housing having sidewalls containing air exit ports adjacent the extremities of the drum. A sealing assembly interactive between each extremity of the drum and associated sidewall utilizes two flexed sealing strips to create a stagnant zone, bounded in part by the sidewall, that envelopes the extremity of the drum.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing tie elements from hands of tobacco leaves on a conveyor belt involve a rotating drum having radially emergent cutting blades that contact the tie elements without contacting the belt. The axle of the drum is disposed at an angle to the direction of belt travel, and the blades are disposed at a compensatory angle with respect to the axle, whereby the drum provides an advancing effect on the leaves, yet the blades cut along the mid-rib of the leaves.

Abstract: A modular pneumatic type tobacco separator apparatus employs a separation chamber which receives a threshed tobacco mixture at a feed trough at an upper elevation, and receives an upwardly directed air stream at a lower elevation. The air stream separates the mixture into lamina material, which is blown upwardly and removed by way of a screening separator, and stem material which falls to the bottom of the chamber, and is removed by an upwardly inclined conveyor belt. The configuration of the apparatus is such that, when two units of the apparatus are placed interactively together, the stem material emergent from a first unit drops by gravity into the feed trough of the next successive downstream unit of the apparatus.

Abstract: A conveyor system with an automatic operating capability is disclosed. The system is particularly adapted to conveying articles into a steam chamber, vessel, oven or the like and retrieving articles after treatment therein. The system includes a truck driven horizontally, preferably by a chain drive along tracks which extend from a pick-up point, into the chamber, or through the chamber, to a deposit point. The bed of the truck is elevated or depressed, preferably pneumatically, and the system further includes opposed rail members disposed parallel to the tracks, outboard of the tracks, and at an elevation slightly above that of the truck bed in its deflated or depressed condition. Articles to be conveyed are sequentially loaded on the forward end of the truck, the truck bed elevated, and the articles conveyed horizontally to a desired point. The truck bed is then deflated or depressed to deposit the articles on the opposed rails.